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KARACHI, Nov 27: City Nazim Niamatullah Khan, who is also chairman of the KWSB, has said that complete restructuring of the board should be done to improve its performance and ensure smooth functioning of the water and sewerage system in the city.
There should be a separate 'estate department' to protect the board's properties e.g. land, buildings, water lines, etc., he said while presiding over a high-level meeting at the KWSB headquarters here on Saturday.
He said that the president has ordered restructuring of the board so that its resources could be utilized for the benefit of the people.
The city nazim directed that local consultants be hired and their recommendations submitted to the board.
Observing that the KWSB owns thousands of acres of land and many buildings, he said that the new estate department could be assigned the task of protecting the property. He stressed the need for steps to increase the KWSB's revenues and finding ways to enhance its financial resources.
A participant of the meeting told PPI that a task force had been formed to prepare and put forward proposals for the restructuring of the board. DMD Shahid Salim would be convenor of the task force. He revealed that the recommendations for improving the KWSB's efficiency would be finalized soon and implemented in three months.
Later, the city nazim, accompanied by the KWSB MD and other officials, visited the City Games Secretariat, established at the KWSB Officers Club, and expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made for the City Games.
MODEL PARK: Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a model park in Korangi on Friday night, City Nazim Niamatullah Khan said that all development projects in Karachi were being carried out with planning and in accordance with the international standards.
"The roads constructed by city government have a life of 15-20 years and it is evident from the fact that no road constructed by the city government was damaged during the recent rainfall,'' he pointed out.
Mr Khan observed that it was for the first time in the history of the city that all stakeholders were taking part in development activity.
"Different mega projects are being carried out with their cooperation,'' he said, adding that the KPT, PIA, EPZ and EPB were undertaking important development projects.
A total of 35 projects were being executed under the Tameer-i-Karachi Programme in addition to as many projects being undertaken under the ADP, he said. He expressed the hope that other departments would also come forward to contribute to the city's development.
Regarding employment opportunities, he said: "I have drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to this issue and urged them to provide jobs to youths of Karachi in the Railways in accordance with the city's share in the department's revenue which comes to about Rs6 billion per annum.''
He categorically stated that conversion of amenity plots would not be allowed. -PPI
