Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that regular and abundant supply of potable water to the citizens is among his top priorities and solid measures were being taken to save the people from the fatal diseases caused by contaminated water.
He issued instructions for a complete survey of water supply lines, replacement of rusty and eroded supply lines as well as installation of maximum filter plants for the benefit of citizens. He also ordered the audit of different projects being executed by Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company. He presided over a high level meeting regarding supply of potable water to the people, here on Tuesday.
Minister for Local Government Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa, Member National Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Rana Mubashar Iqbal, Haroon Khawaja, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Housing and Public Health as well as senior officers of the departments concerned were also present.
The chief minister said that in spite of utilisation of billions of rupees on development projects, potable water is still not available to the citizens and contaminated water is causing spread of epidemics in different areas. He said that he had personally observed non-availability of drinking water and poor sanitary arrangement during his visit to far-flung areas.
He said complaints of mixing of sewer and water supply lines are also common and those who are not acting on such complaints are doing criminal act. He said that in addition to education and health facilities, supply of pure water to the citizens is also among his priorities and Punjab government will spare no effort in this regard.
He directed officers of the departments responsible for provision of basic amenities to the citizens to perform their responsibilities with commitment and dedication and play their due role for improving living standard of the masses.
The chief minister expressed his displeasure over incomplete briefing given by the concerned department and Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company regarding provision of basic facilities to the citizens and directed that a detailed briefing regarding water supply, sanitation and improvement of roads and streets be arranged within three days which should also include details such as pace of execution of development projects, period of their completion as well as funds allocated for the purpose.
He also directed the chairman planning & development to conduct a third-party audit of the projects of water supply, roads, parks and solid waste management executed in Kasur, Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock and Mailsi by Municipal Development Fund Company so that the quality of construction as well as transparency in the utilisation of funds could be judged.
The chief minister also issued instructions for audit of the project of improvement of streets and sewerage scheme as well as the park constructed at a cost of millions of rupees under Tehsil Municipal Administration Liaqatpur.
Mian Shahbaz Sharif issued instructions to minister for local government for convening a joint meeting of public health and local government departments for reviewing their performance besides contacting federal government for the installation of filter plants in the province as early as possible.
He directed that the departments concerned should ensure supply of potable water to the citizens and utilise all their energies and resources for this purpose. He directed secretary housing and public health and local government to arrange a comprehensive briefing regarding water supply and sewerage within three days. He also issued instructions to the project director of Punjab Devolved Social Programme to acquire the services of a reputed firm immediately for the audit of development projects.