KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah on Thursday stressed the need to strengthen the role of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) across the province.

Presiding over a meeting at the Sindh Secretariat to review progress of the SSWMB and various development projects being run on the basis of public-private partnership, Mr Shah asked departments concerned to improve the pace of industrialisation in the province.

He also directed for development of parks and gardens to beautify the general environment with specific reference to the betterment of public health.

SSWMB managing director Saeed Mangnejo briefed the meeting that the board was functional in four of the city’s districts: Karachi East, West, South and Malir. Plans to include the remaining Karachi Central and Korangi districts were in process, he said.

Mr Shah noted that the scope of SSWMB should be extended in all 29 districts of Sindh, and work be initiated to produce 50MW electricity from garbage.

He advised the relevant authorities to gear up monitoring and supervision of door-to-door garbage collection and from the reserved points till its final disposal in landfills.

He said deputy commissioners should evolve monitoring mechanisms in their respective limits to ascertain that the assigned work was carried out.

The chief secretary maintained that disciplinary action must be taken against the officials who showed lethargy.

He also directed for mandatory regular sweeping and washing of streets.

Mr Shah asked the officials to hold monthly meetings to review the performance of the board and devise future course of action.

Officials said the meeting also reviewed public-private partnership projects, including Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas dual road, Malir Expressway, Jherruk-Mullah Katiar bridge, and security and safety of NICH (National Institute of Child Health).

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2018