Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that government is attaching top priority to the reformation of water supply and sanitation system and huge funds are being spent on the improvement of this sector.
While talking to the head of water and sanitation wing of an international German company Gauff JBG Ingenieure, Wolfgang Charlet, here on Monday, the Chief Minister said that all out encouragement is being extended for launching water supply and sewerage projects under private-public partnership. Long-term planning is being undertaken for the supply of potable water to the citizens, he added.
Chairman Planning and Development, Suleman Ghani, Secretary Housing, Khalid Sultan and Director Gauff JBG Ingenieure, Qamar Khan were also present on this occasion.
The CM said that President Pervez Musharraf's water supply programme for the masses by 2007 is being given a practical shape. He said that under an emergency reformation programme, water supply and sewerage system is being improved in the province and old, rusty and outdated water supply and sewerage lines are being replaced.
He said that the process of identification of worn out pipelines is being completed expeditiously so that these could be replaced for supply of pure water to the citizens. He said that instructions have been issued for the use of chlorine in all water tanks so that they could be purified. He said that international investment in water supply sector is being encouraged, and entire infrastructure regarding water supply and sanitation would be provided.
He further said that a massive project of water supply and sewerage as well as installation of water treatment plants is being executed in 21 tehsils of Southern Punjab which will result in improvement of environment as well as standard of living of the common man. He said that government is spending a huge amount of Rs seven billion for the supply of drinking water in these areas.
He said that improvement of water supply and drainage system will save the people from diseases besides resulting in acceleration in the pace of social development. He said that government will fully benefit from the co-operation of international agencies in this regard.
Wolfgang Charlet said that his company is interested in investment in water supply and sanitation projects and he is deeply impressed with the investment climate in the province.