Country Director of World Bank (WB), Najy Benhassine has underscored the importance of a proper solid waste management system in Karachi, terming it ‘absolutely critical’ to enhance livability and competitiveness.

“The Bank’s ongoing urban policy dialogue in Karachi has long underscored the importance of adequate solid waste management as it is absolutely critical to improving livability and competitiveness,” tweeted Najy Benhassine on Tuesday.

Earlier, Benhassine said that the Sindh government may request the World Bank to reimburse it for the expenditures on nullah cleaning activities after approval by the Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project (SWEEP), provided they are compliant with/applicable to the World Bank (WB) policies.

Earlier, the WB in a series of tweets stated that in view of the emergency situation and ongoing floods in Karachi, the Sindh government would finance and implement activities through its funds. The country director further said that the World Bank was already working with the government of Sindh in finalizing the SWEEP project.

The project aims to mitigate the impact of flooding and Covid-19 emergencies, and to improve solid waste management services in Karachi.

The Sindh Resilience Project will also provide $2 million to support the Sindh Irrigation Department to undertake emergency works on flood embankments damaged by hill torrents, particularly in Dadu district, he added.