Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar inaugurated the Municipal Services Improvement Program of the local government department on Tuesday.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Race Course Park. 24 mini tippers were handed over to the Deputy Commissioner Sialkot while 12 to DC Sahiwal. CM Punjab also inspected modern sewerage safety van and announced to provide funds.
The safety vans would be provided to every city to protect the lives of the sewermen. He stated that the local cleanliness operations will be improved under Punjab’s Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program.
Secretary Local Government briefed about the safety van and details of other machinery. Syed Abbas Ali Shah MPA, Chief Secretary, representatives of Sialkot and Sahiwal were also present on this occasion.
Steps have been taken to develop the standard of municipal services and provision of latest machinery has been started to improve the waste management system in Sahiwal and Sialkot, said Buzdar.
The CM also disclosed that 1088 vehicles and required equipment will be provided to Sialkot with an amount of Rs592 million. Similarly, 942 vehicles and other machinery will be provided to Sahiwal with a sum of Rs293 million, he added.
He maintained that local government units are facing problems in providing basic cleaning facilities due to population boom and varied industrial activities. The government has started a program to provide municipal services at the doorsteps to the citizens, he added.
Under this program, the standard of different municipal services will be improved and machinery worth Rs885 million will be provided to both the districts.
The Asian Development Bank has provided financial assistance to the Punjab government for this program which includes waste management, water supply, disposal and provision of clean drinking water.