LAHORE: Punjab Local Governments Minister Zeeshan Rafique has directed to speed up the work on providing municipal services in 200 selected villages of 16 tehsils with the support of World Bank.
During his maiden visit to the Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC), he said that the provision of rural municipal services has been planned keeping in mind the needs of the expected population till 2048. He said that life standards will improve in the backward areas with provision of quality facilities.
“In the first phase, clean water, sanitation and other model facilities will be provided in 200 villages and I will request Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to expand the scope of this programme”, he pledged.
On this occasion, PRMSC CEO Asadullah briefed the provincial minister regarding the company’s affairs and future schemes. During the briefing, it was informed that the sanitation water will be treated and provided for agriculture purposes under the project. Similarly, the local garbage will be first segregated and then it will be disposed of in a scientific manner.
The provincial minister while directing the issuance of contracts for development works through ‘E-tendering’, said that ‘E-tendering’ will not only ensure transparency in the projects but stakeholders will also be facilitated. He said that solarisation of tubewells and other machinery will also be done under the rural development programme. “This process will reduce electricity consumption and utility bills as well”, he noted.
Secretary unhappy over pace of plantation drive
Punjab Local Governments Secretary Shakeel Ahmad Mian while chairing a meeting on Friday reviewed the pace of ‘Plant for Pakistan’ drive.
Local governments secretary expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of the local governments on the first day of ‘Plant for Pakistan’ campaign and directed the local bodies to improve their performance and achieve the target of planting 1.5 million trees.
The secretary emphasised that there should not be any question of poor performance in the plantation campaign launched under the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He warned that departmental action will be taken if plantation targets are not achieved. “All local bodies should plant saplings as per the daily target and update its details regularly on the dashboard”, he directed.
Shakeel Mian said that local governments have a central role in making the ‘Plant for Pakistan’ drive a success. “It is also a national and social duty to make the plantation drive successful. Real job is not to plant a sapling but its care and protection is equally important”, he concluded.
Special Secretary Local Governments Asia Gul, DG Shafaat Ali and Secretary Local Governments Board Barakullah attended the meeting in person while chief officers and assistant directors from across the province participated the meeting through zoom link.
