May 29, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

KARACHI, May 28: Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Bhurgari has issued directives to the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA) to intensify the drive against all stakeholders to recover its outstanding dues, now amounting to over 17 million rupees. Taking a serious notice of the aggravating financial condition of the institution, he warned that strict action would be taken against defaulters.

The minister paid a surprise visit to the KFHA and the harbour on Wednesday morning and checked attendance of officers and staff. He warned all officers and workers to observe punctuality and discipline or face the departmental action.

He visited different parts of the harbour and directed the staff to extend all possible facilities to fishermen and other stakeholders, besides putting in their best efforts to make the KFHA a viable institution.

He made it clear that anyone found indulging in corruption would be dealt with sternly.

The minister was told that the harbour development activity had suffered badly due to paucity of funds.

Expressing his serious concern over the declining revenues and deteriorating financial health of the KFHA, the minister directed the officials concerned to accelerate the recovery drive to streamline the institution on sound footings.

According to sources, a sum of around Rs13 million is outstanding against the Fishermen Cooperative Society on account of rent and other facilities extended to it by the KFHA. Another amount of Rs4.4 million is outstanding against different stakeholders, including seafood processors.

Fishermen’s welfare

Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman has directed the Board of Revenue (BoR), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), and the relevant departments and organizations to resolve the problems being faced by the fishermen community on a priority basis, adds APP.

He issued the directive at a meeting of the stakeholders of fisheries sector held in his office on Wednesday. Besides representatives of the fishermen community and boat-owners, the meeting was attended by officials of the BoR, health department, city government and federal institutions, including the Karachi Port Trust, Maritime Security Agency, Marine Fisheries, Coast Guards and Customs.

The chief secretary called for the establishment of model villages for the fishermen community at Ibrahim Hyderi, Hawkesbay, Shams Pir and Baba/Bhit islands and Chashma (Rerhi Goth), and asked the departments and institutions concerned to ensure provision of all required facilities.

He stressed proper coordination among the stakeholders in this regard.

He told the KWSB to adopt an effective strategy to ensure proper water and sewerage facilities for the model villages. The health department was asked to ensure full attendance of the medical and paramedical staff posted at the government dispensaries and other health care units, particularly in Keamari Town in order to provide best treatment facilities and medicines to the community.