Municipal corporation workers take oath to perform duties faithfully. PHOTO: INPPESHAWAR: A month-long cleanliness drive formally initiated by Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Inayatullah Khan in Gor Gathri commenced in the district from Wednesday.
Workers of the Peshawar Municipal Corporation (PMC) were seen removing sludge from drains and canals while bus stands, markets, offices, school premises and construction sites were also being cleaned.
(Top) K-P minister kicks off the month-long cleanliness campaign by spraying anti-dengue fumes in Yadgar chowk. (Above) A banner put up by the provincial government on University Road to spread awareness on cleanliness. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
The government has appropriated Rs1.5 million for the city’s uplift, out of which Rs1 million will be spent on the cleanliness campaign. The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), PMC and other organisations have been instructed to play their due role and facilitate the process of keeping the city clean.
“We will make Peshawar the city of roses,” promised Inayatullah while addressing PMC workers. “Today is the beginning of changing the city, which has been ignored for decades by rulers.” PDA was also directed to ensure greenery in the city.
Inayatullah said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government will implement the drive in all towns of the city, adding they will try to promote healthy competition between municipal committees. Those who surpass others will be awarded, while those who show negligence will be brought to task, he added.
Funds have been set aside for an awareness media campaign on cleanliness. Billboards are being used for the purpose and many are already sporting messages displayed across the city.
“The government efforts will prove meaningless if residents and traders do not support us,” stressed the minister. “It is not only immoral, but also against the law to spoil and litter public places. If necessary, the police will be used against citizens found guilty of littering or encroachments in public places.”
The drive will be conducted in other provincial districts as well, and respective municipal authorities will be responsible for the campaign.
The minister promised to reconstruct the city wall and open Bala Hissar fort – which is currently occupied by the Frontier Constabulary – to the public. He also vowed to take steps to preserve the city’s heritage.
“If we cannot meet the challenge, we will request international heritage conservation agencies to help us preserve the centuries-old heritage of the city,” said Inayatullah.
PMC President Malik Naveed Khan administered an oath taken by hundreds of workers pledging to execute their duties faithfully. Naveed also requested the government to provide them modern machinery and other facilities, especially to clean Shahi Khata, the city’s largest drain. He said it would be impossible to clean the drain without the necessary equipment.
Locals appreciated the administration’s move to clean the city’s streets, hoping the practice continues in the future. “The drive comes at the right time as the dengue virus has been spreading in the district and other parts of the province,” said an inhabitant of the city, Rehmanullah.
Cleaning drains and canals will ensure water does not remain stagnant and people are provided a more hygienic environment, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.
