‘Suthra Punjab outsourcing at tehsil level after CM’s approval’

LAHORE: A meeting of municipal chief officers and representatives of private companies from across Punjab was held here Friday to review the Suthra Punjab Programme.

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique presided over the meeting. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian was also present in the meeting. Outsourcing of sanitation services under public private partnership was reviewed during the meeting. Interested private companies briefed about their expertise and capacity for waste management. Addressing the participants, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique said that after the approval of the chief minister, outsourcing of Suthra Punjab will be done at the tehsil level. ‘Under the programme, manual, mechanical sweeping, door to door waste collection, de-silting and waste disposal will be ensured’, he said. He said that public participation was essential for an effective and long-lasting sanitation system in villages and cities. Zeeshan Rafique said that the chief minister has been focusing on cleanliness since day one. ‘International models of public-private partnerships are also being taken into consideration. Companies will be selected on merit in 148 tehsils of Punjab’, he pledged. The minister said that private companies would be obliged to use the resources of the Local Government Department first.

‘In this regard, preference will be given to companies equipped with modern machinery’, he said. He said that for the first time we are paying special attention to waste dumping. Every tehsil must have at least one environment friendly dumping site. Zeeshan Rafique expressed his determination that he would try his best to fulfill the CM’s expectations for the success of Suthra Punjab programme.

Speaking on this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian said that there would be no room for laxity in provision of sanitation services after outsourcing. ‘Municipal Department will ensure effective monitoring of outsourcing system’, he added. During the meeting, LWMC CEO gave a briefing to the participants.