A seminar on the 'Master Plan Study for an Integrated Solid Waste Management for Gujranwala City' by Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica) was held at the Planning & Development Department Lahore, Government of the Punjab on Thursday. The study has been carried out for the Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) with support from the Urban Unit.
As per the Chief Minister's Vision 2020 of a "Litter Free Punjab", waste management has been a priority area and through the Urban Unit, a holistic solid waste management strategy had been developed and implemented. With support and assistance from the Urban Unit, Jica carried out the study to take stock of the current status, problems and necessity of assistance in the Solid Waste Management sector in Gujranwala which is considered as one of the dirtiest cities of the province.
The seminar was presided over by Finance Minister Punjab Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha and was attended by MotooTaki, Senior Representative Jica Pakistan Office, Dr Nasir Javed Chief Executive Officer The Urban Unit, Dr Ata-ul-Haq Managing Director Gujranwala Waste Management Company, Masakazu Maeda Team Leader Jica Project Team and other public sector stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha said, "Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a severe peril to rapid urbanisation, and realising the same, the Government of the Punjab has been making serious efforts to improve SWM systems in its major cities through Public Private Partnerships (PPP). The master plan for GWMC by Jica with assistance from the Urban Unit will go a long way in defining future strategies for other cities as well as improving the current systems in place"
During the seminar, members of the Jica team presented the study in detail and elaborated upon its individual components including the Waste Collection and Transportation Plan, Final Disposal Plan, Intermediate Treatment & 3R Promotion Plan, Environmental Education and Public Awareness Raising Plan, Economic and Financial management Plan, Environmental and Social Considerations Plan and the Institutional Strengthening and Organisation plan.