CM tells UC members to take ownership of water, sanitation schemes

Says he has started meetings with the newly elected representatives of local bodies

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the third consecutive day interacted with the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of district councils, Town Municipal Committees, and Town Committees of four districts of Hyderabad division.

He tried to make the urged the local bodies’ representatives realise their responsibilities to develop parks, playgrounds, water supply and sanitation schemes, and streets.

“The main issues of our towns and villages are defective or nonfunctional sewerage system, that the gutters or open drains are flowing onto the streets,” CM said.

Murad said that his government has constructed sewerage systems in almost all of the small towns and villages but there is lack of ownership of these schemes. People think that the provincial government built and the provincial government will run it. “You, the UC chairmen, have to look after and own these schemes in the larger interest of the people of the area,” the chief minister said.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Local Government Syed Nasir Shah, MPA Aijaz Shah, Dost Mohammad Jesar, Asif Shah, and others. The chairmen and vice chairmen of district councils, Town Municipal Committees, and Town committees of four districts - Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Badin.

The CM said that he has started meetings with the newly elected representatives of local bodies so that he could listen to them and give his guideline so that a working relationship could be developed to redress the public grievances. “Our main objective is to serve the province and make a difference,” he said.

Murad urged the local bodies chairmen to remove encroachment from their areas, beautify their towns, develop playgrounds, promote cultural and sports activities, and ensure each and every employee of their local body must work honestly.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2023.