Chinese company has been tasked to work on solid waste management: Vohra

Deputy Mayor Karachi Dr Arshad Vohra on Wednesday said that a Chinese company was tasked to work on solid waste management of the metropolis. Giving a briefing to National Institute of Management Lahore's 22nd midcareer management course participants on their visit to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's (KMC) central office, Vohra said that initially, the company will lift garbage from the city's two districts as an MoU has recently been signed in this regard.
He said removal of heaps of garbage was one of the biggest issues, because the newly-elected local government representatives lack resources to lift and dispose 12,000 tons of garbage which is being generated in the Metropolis each day. He said that presently, the city government has the capacity to remove only 4,000 tons of garbage only.
While comparing he said some seven cities of Punjab have established their own solid waste management boards to remove garbage and to ensure clean and hygienic environment to the people. But Karachi - the biggest city of the country (consisting some 20 million population) has no such board to cope with the biggest challenge, he deplored.
The provincial government has established only Sindh Solid Waste Management Board which is not capable to lift and dispose of the waste from entire province, he said. Vohra said Karachi has been the hub of corporate and industrial activities since long. It has always welcomed the people who came here from the parts of the country to seek jobs and livelihoods. It generates huge revenue to the national exchequer. But despite its all significance, the city is not being given the due share out of the total taxes collected, he deplored.
Due to discontinuation of local government system for years, the citizens faced severe civic issues. However, the local government despite all odds and challenges is trying its best to utilise the available resources in an effective manner, he concluded.