Ali Raza
LAHORE: Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) Turkish contractors have failed to collect door-to-door waste, resulting in an extra financial burden on citizens.
As per a contract, Turkish contractors of the company are bound to collect waste from door-to-door and waste bins installed in residential and commercial localities across the provincial metropolis.
Even the newly-appointed managing director of LWMC has ‘ignored’ this factor or has not been properly briefed by senior officers that door-to-door waste collection is an integral part of the assigned duties of the Turkish companies.
LWMC sources claimed that the contractors preferred to pay penalty for this door-to-door waste lifting clause, which is not more than 3 per cent, another lacuna left in the contract to favour the contractors. In reality, citizens are left at the hands of scavengers and local garbage collectors who charged citizens Rs 300 each house, which if calculated can become a huge amount. These scavengers took this garbage to open plots where they sort it out and later waste lifting vehicles of Turkish contractors reached those points and get the waste.
A LWMC official said there are several points in the city where the practice is going on. He said he had already reported this illegal activity to the notice of the higher management. Over a question about LWMC’s action against the contractors over his report, he said so far no action has been taken. Sohail Malik, LWMC’s General Manager (Operations), said he had already taken notice on this issue and Turkish companies were also fined for this practice.
Meanwhile, LWMC MD Khalid Nazir visited the city for monitoring choking points and cleanliness during and after rain. He visited Lakshmi Chowk, Railway Station, Lorry Adda, Fruit and Vegetable Market, Barkat Market, Bund Road, etc. He directed the staff to ensure proper availability of workers on choking points followed by a cleanup operation. He said the department will ensure carelessness. He said all operational staff should be on toes during and after rain and proper support should be given to all government departments, especially to Wasa.