Dripping away: LG minister blames everyone but himself for water crisis

The minister warned that factory owners found involved in stealing water will have their factories sealed.

KARACHI:

Illegal water hydrants and ghost employees of water and power utilities are to blame for the prevailing water crisis that has caused protest, blockades of main streets and riots in the city, according to the provincial local bodies minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon.

The minister, along with senior officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), held an emergency media briefing at KWBS’s Nine Miles office on Tuesday.



Memon discussed the issue of KWSB’s ghost employees and said that these employees, despite receiving salaries from the board, are one of the biggest causes of the water crisis.

“I know that there are problems in the water board’s system and certain employees must stop their illegal activities, otherwise we will take strict action against them,” warned Memon.

The minister warned that factory owners found involved in stealing water during the crackdown will have their factories sealed and its equipment confiscated. “They should disconnect their illegal connections themselves if they do not want to face the consequences,” he urged.

Memon then claimed that the city’s water demand is 1,000MGD (million gallons daily), while there is shortage of 400MGD as only 600MGD are being provided. “We request K-Electric to immediately stop load-shedding, especially at the Dhabeji pumping station, for the betterment of the people of Karachi,” he said.

The minister then talked about the dues that the provincial government owes K-Electric. “It is necessary to reconcile the electricity dues so that we are able to tackle the water crisis better,” he said.



He also called for action against companies supplying mineral water to households. Memon said they are stealing water from the KWSB and people should inform the government about such companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2014.