PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur on Friday instructed the local government department that in view of the prediction of heavy rains in the province and the standby directives of the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan for improving sanitation and drainage system as well as carrying relief operations in case of urban flash floods, foolproof arrangements and preparations must be undertaken on emergency basis.
He expressed this during a briefing given by Secretary Local Government and Rural Development Syed Zaheer-ul-Islam Shah on the effective prevention of possible damages that might be caused by monsoon torrential rains and flash floods in different parts of the province including the merged districts.
The Local Government Secretary said that immediate implementation of the instructions of the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary has been ensured and all the subsidiary bodies of the Local Government Department have been red alerted as a matter of concern regarding possible monsoon rains and floods. Similarly, he said, the local bodies have also been issued clear instructions for close support with all relief agencies including the Relief Department, PDMA and Rescue 1122 operating in various cities.
Sardar Faisal Amin Gandapur, while expressing his satisfaction over the progress related to preparations for monsoon season, also showed the confidence that the officers and officials of TMAs, water supply and sanitation companies (WSSCs) and area development authorities of the entire province, including the merged districts, would work round the clock to help the people in case of any emergency.
He said local bodies officials will perform their duties diligently to protect people from bad weather effects and damages so that the public’s trust in the institutions continue to increase. He made it clear that our provincial government is strictly following the policy of reward and punishment, under which dedicated employees working with the spirit of serving the masses are encouraged in every way, while employees showing lethargy and negligence in performing duties are given the strictest reprimand.
The Local Government Minister clarified that he will also visit various cities himself to review the monsoon arrangements of the local bodies and will also see it’s level of liaison and cooperation with other relief agencies.