Rs14b to improve Lahore sewerage system: CM

LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Wednesday that every possible step would be taken to facilitate the people.

He said this while chairing a meeting in his office, where he reviewed the performance of Primary & Secondary Health, Specialised Health & Medical Education, Board of Revenue, Punjab Land Record Authority, PDMA, Industries, and Agriculture departments.

The chief minister directed the departments to remain fully vigilant and alert in the wake of the possible threat of flood. He directed for removal of encroachments in riverine areas and added that all possible steps should be taken to combat the possible flood. He said that the latest weather radar would be installed at the cost of Rs737 million in Sialkot to monitor the weather situation. He said the government did not believe in lip-service but the people would be facilitated through practical measures.

He said that billions of rupees were wasted on exhibitory projects during the last 10 years and criminal negligence was shown by totally ignoring the fundamental needs of the people. Former rulers did such things which were not needed to the people, he maintained. However, the PTI government was giving particular attention to provide necessary facilities to the general public, he added. He directed to work on an emergent basis to improve the organisational capacity of PDMA and added that the number of Arazi centres would be increased to facilitate the people at their doorsteps.

He directed that construction of 115 new Arazi centres should be completed by December 31 adding that new centres would create more employment opportunities besides providing relief to the people. The chief minister said that the healthcare system was being improved by revamping the health department on modern lines.

"The government is recruiting new doctors to fulfill their shortage in remote areas," he said. He emphasised that the medicines’ procurement system would be made foolproof and disclosed that only disposable razors could be used at barber shops to avoid Hepatitis. The Punjab Health Department should take necessary steps to ensure the use of disposable razors, he added.

He informed that emergencies of THQ hospitals would be upgraded and in the first phase, emergencies of 100 THQ hospitals would be upgraded by the government. He regretted that very low resources were allocated for improving the sewerage system during the last 10 years and added that the Punjab government was starting a new project worth Rs14 billion to improve the sewerage system of Lahore.

He said that a project costing billions of rupees was being launched in the provincial metropolis to provide clean drinking water to the people. Similarly, comprehensive planning has been made to repair streetlights and roads patchwork in Lahore, he added.

He also reviewed the ongoing public welfare schemes for the citizens of Lahore and directed to expedite the development work for providing early relief to the people.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, SMBR, Principal Secretary to CM, Secretary Specialised Health &Medical Education, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Industries, Commissioner Lahore Division, Special Secretary Primary & Secondary Health, DG PDMA, DG Punjab Land Record Authority and head of SMU attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, in a statement Usman Buzdar said that national exchequer would be spent only for public welfare. The chief minister said the cancer of corruption ruined the country. He said difficulties would end soon and Pakistan would become prosperous.

GRIEVED: Usman Buzdar has expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives due to roofs collapse in Kot Abdul Malik and Kahna. He extended sympathies to the bereaved families and directed the officers concerned that injured be provided with best treatment facilities.