CM orders inquiry into poor construction

LAHORE: Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered an inquiry into damage during heavy floods in South Punjab caused due to faulty construction of spurs and embankments.

Addressing a gathering of flood victims in Jampur on Saturday, the chief minister said a committee, headed by the Punjab chief secretary, had been constituted to identify the elements responsible for poor construction. He said those found guilty will not be spared.

The committee will also devise an effective strategy to cope with such situations in the future besides probing irregularities in the execution of these projects, he said.

Sharif expressed satisfaction with the supply of food upon visiting free food camps and health centres at 15 relief points during his fourth day in Dera Ghazi Khan. He said he had noticed that the conditions have improved over the last two days.

He said around 40,000 water bottles were being given to flood victims daily. Medical teams comprising 100 doctors from Lahore were treating patients in Dera Ghazi Khan and other far-flung areas of flood-hit South Punjab, Sharif said.

Sharif also visited and inspected relief efforts in Chachran Sharif, Rojhan and Mithankot.

He promised provision of fodder for the livestock of flood victims during his visit to Chachran Sharif.

Sharif shared words of encouragement on meeting doctors during his visit to medical camps and directed them to tend to flood victims in Jampur if necessary by reaching them by boats.

On learning that the paramedic staff had been working diligently and round the clock, he remarked, “they will be rewarded by Allah for their dedication.”

The CM requested the local government officials to step up the relief efforts in untended places across South Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2010.