Consultant staff deployed in 51 cities for PDP

LAHORE, Mar 26 (APP): Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique was informed during a meeting that consultant staff has been deployed in 51 cities for Punjab Development Program (PDP).

Moreover the excavation of most of the underground tanks for rainwater drainage and storage has been completed, while the construction of roadside water storage tanks in several cities has entered the final stages. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Special Secretary Asia Gul also attended the meeting. Project Director PDP Ahmer Sohail Kaifi made a presentation to the participants.

Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique expressed satisfaction over the progress on the “Maryum Nawaz Ka Sohna Punjab” program directing that the delay in the work due to the recent rains and Eid holidays should be overcome. He said that both quality and speed should be taken care of during the work. “The concerned Deputy and Assistant Commissioners should make regular visits to the construction sites,” he directed.

Zeeshan Rafique reiterated his commitment that the Local Government Department will meet the expectations of the public and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He observed that the completion of the PDP will help in controlling urban flooding. “Financial bids for 119 out of 124 packages of development schemes for different cities have been opened. The entire tendering process is being completed in a transparent manner”, he added. The Local Government Minister also directed that the Municipal Officers Infrastructure (MOI) should upload all the progress on the dashboard. “Elected public representatives should be taken into confidence on all the schemes. Alternative arrangements for traffic at excavation sites should also be taken into consideration”, he concluded.