Minister orders hiring in waste management companies

LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said quality sanitation facilities are the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, issuing directives for recruitment of required human resources in waste management companies.

The minister was chairing a meeting of CEOs of waste management companies at civil secretariat here on Thursday. Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said that mobilisation of contractors and availability of machinery should be ensured. He added that the data should be sent to the provincial control room regularly. Zeeshan Rafiq remarked that for the success of the new system, more efforts will have to be made in the beginning. The minister directed for paying special attention to the construction of new waste enclosures.

“Sweeping and de-silting should be done as per schedule,” he said. He added that there should be monitoring at the level of Union Councils in villages. Zeeshan Rafiq instructed the CEOs to check the attendance of the field staff on spot. He said that billing mechanism will be created in the next phase.

There is no ambiguity in the CM’s goals, the same will be achieved in any case”, he vowed. Zeeshan Rafiq said that action should be taken if the complaints of the people are not resolved in time. The minister expressed his determination to face the challenges with team work.

“I will go to the last extent to fulfill the expectations of the people”, he pledged. Zeeshan Rafiq said that cleaning in street areas is not enough but garbage should also be collected from empty places.

“A separate strategy for cleaning commercial areas should be devised”, he said. The minister directed for starting second shift for cleaning in commercial areas, saying that the highways should not be neglected either.

“Mechanical sweeping should be done there”, he directed. He said that awareness campaign should also be conducted among the citizens on the benefits of cleanliness. On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian directed that CEOs and monitoring teams of waste management companies should visit the field regularly.

“Cooperate with contractors as much as possible. Also share experiences with each other”, he directed. Secretary Local Government and Community Development Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Maria Tariq participated. The CEOs gave a presentation on the performance.