By: Adeel Alvi
SUKKUR: An important meeting on Sukkur issues was held in the committee room of DC Office Sukkur under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Sukkur Javed Ahmed, Administrator Municipal Ali Raza Ansari, Director Local Government, Public Health, Revenue, Highways, Building and other concerned departments in large numbers. It was decided in the meeting that clean drinking water, sanitation, street light, beauty, drainage, improvement of roads and paths and other issues of Sukkur city would be given priority to the district administration, Sukkur Municipal Corporation Public Health, Local Government Highways. The building will jointly operate under a robust mechanism. A written report on the required requirements will be prepared and provided within three days. During the meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh directed the Director Local Government and the Administrator to appoint staff in the Union Committees as per the requirements and rates. He said that local councils have the power to appoint cleaning staff on daily wage basis and advertise for recruitment of side drains within a week in which transparency should be observed and video of the aspiring staff should also be included in the report. He directed that ownership should be given to the missionaries, vehicles and other equipment used in sanitation and drainage and a list of inactive missionaries should be compiled. In this regard, a committee would be constituted under the supervision of DC Sukkur. Will give its feedback on other issues. Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh strongly directed the Public Health Engineering Department to de-silting the water supply ponds, if additional funds are required, it should be provided in writing and clean water should be provided to the citizens in all cases. Later addressing the press conference, Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh said that the PPP leadership and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah have trusted me with regard to the affairs of Sukkur and the provision of basic amenities to the people. The work will be done by the district administration, municipal corporation, local bodies, public health, building and other relevant agencies will work together on a patch. The work will be done with a successful plan for improvement while the next 6 months will see a clear change after the completion of the mega project. He said that provision of basic necessities including clean drinking water and sanitation to the citizens of Sukkur was a priority. He said that the participation of public representatives, civil society and journalists would help in resolving the issues. ۔ He said that Public Health Engineering and other institutions would be required to submit a written report within three days regarding the required requirements including resources and staff. Barrister Raslan Islam Sheikh said that if the SEPCO management did not restore the power of street lights, they would go to court. The city is in darkness which must be remedied. He said that the excesses of the federal government with Sindh are increasing. The PIA administration has reduced the transport facilities of Sukkur and there are almost no flights. The reduction in PIA flights is hurting traders and the economy. He said that our first attempt would be to activate 26 filter plants in the city in the first phase. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Sukkur Javed Ahmed said that Sukkur is the third largest city of Sindh and its construction and development is among the priorities of the government. Will work for delivery. Administrator Sukkur Municipal Corporation Ali Raza Ansari said that 300 contingent staff is being recruited to meet the shortage of sanitation staff. Steps will be taken.