Hyderabad storm drains cleaning funds ‘washed away’

Commissioner seeks report from WASA on utilisation of Rs75 million

HYDRABAD:

The Commissioner of Hyderabad Nadeemur Rehman Memon has ordered inquiry in the utilisation of Rs75 million funds for cleaning of storm drains.

During his visits to localities in City, Latifabad and Qasimabad talukas of Hyderabad, he expressed anger over poor performance of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), a subsidiary of Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA).

"How strange is the fact that the bills [for development and repair works] are being prepared and released but no performance is visible," the commissioner said. He directed the acting managing director of WASA Anjum Saeed to submit report about the agency's income and expenditure to his office at the earliest.

He observed that the WASA wanted to create problems for the divisional and district administrations because it has been failing to resolve the water supply and drainage woes of the citizens. He reiterated that the utilization of Rs75 million funds which were provided by the Sindh government could not be seen in the city.

"If any locality in City, Latifabad or Qasimabad submerged during the monsoon rains, WASA, Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) and Municipal Committee Qasimabad will be responsible," he warned.

He asked the officials of WASA to ensure that all of their pumping stations worked round the clock during the rain situation. He also directed the agency to cut off illegal water connections and remove encroachments from the drains besides registering FIRs against the squatters.

Read More: WASA issued red notices to pay Rs903m

Salary funds

The Sindh government has approved release of Rs312 million funds for payment of salaries and pensions to the workers of WASA who have not been paid for last 10 to 12 months. However, some officials and representatives of the workers' union fear that not all the amount will be spent on their salaries.

"The officials are likely to release a large sum of money from Rs312 grant in aid to pay the contractors," an official, who requested anonymity, said. The official also claimed that former director general of Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) Muhammad Sohail who was transferred to Malir Development Authority a week ago continued to sit in his HDA's office this week.

"He was probably releasing some funds in the back dates," he alleged. The DG Sohail could not be contacted for his version.

A union leader Aslam Abbassi also claimed that the DG was seen in the HDA's office till at least Tuesday. "After giving joining in the MDA last week, he should not have attended the HDA's office."

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2022.