Sahiwal (Office of the Director Public Relations) Commissioner Sahiwal Division Dr. Asif Tufail has taken notice of long-closed state-of-the-art Waste Segregation Plant.
The plant, constructed by the Punjab Government’s Urban Unit at a cost of Rs. 400 million, has remained non-functional for a long period.
Commissioner has directed that the plant be made operational within the next two weeks to enable modern waste disposal for the city of Sahiwal.
He was presiding over a special meeting in his office regarding the plant’s operation. The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Coordination Dr. Saifullah Bhatti and Director Development Shafiq Ahmed Dogar.
Director Local Government Shahid Farooq Waraich and Unit Head of Urban Unit Ms. Anam were present on the occasion. Senior Monitoring Manager of Sahiwal Water and Sanitation Services Company, Rizwan Ahmed Marth also participated.
The Commissioner instructed the preparation of a practical working plan to ensure the plant delivers long-term benefits. He also expressed displeasure over the plant remaining closed even after its construction was completed.
Administrative Delays Leave Sahiwal Waste Treatment Plant Non-Functional
The solid waste treatment plant in Sahiwal built at a cost of Rs394.3 million has remained non-functional for more than 13 months and is currently being used as an open dumping site.
The 25-acre facility was designed to process 150–200 tonnes of waste daily and convert it into organic fertilizer, but it has not processed any waste since completion.
Administrative transfers between the Urban Unit, the Sahiwal Metropolitan Corporation, and the Sahiwal Solid Waste Company, along with a lack of technical training and contractor negligence, have prevented operations. Instead of treating waste, the contractor has been dumping raw garbage at the site. Commissioner Sahiwal now plan to hand over the plant to a new contractor with the required technical expertise to make it operational.
DC Sahiwal visits the Solid Waste Management Company office
Deputy Commissioner Sahiwal Captain (R) Samiullah Farooq visited the Solid Waste Management Company office and reviewed its performance.