PESHAWAR: Claiming the collection of solid waste in the provincial capital has improved from 53 percent to 75 percent during the last six months, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government and rural development minister Inayatullah Khan on Wednesday urged the local residents to cooperate municipal workers for achieving the cleanliness campaign`s targets.

`Clean and green Peshawar is the top priority of the provincial government. All relevant stakeholders have been mobilised to accomplish this gigantic task,` he told the appreciation certincate and prize distribution ceremony organised here for the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) workers here on Wednesday.

WSSP Chief Executive Officer Engineer Naeem Khan, Peshawar Municipal Corporation administrator Syed Zafar Ali Shah and otherofficials were also present on the occasion, says a news release issued here. The minister praised the WSSP workers and said target of achievingthe highestlevelofcleanliness in Peshawar completely depended on their ef forts.

`All municipal workers are our asset. The government will leave no stone unturned to facilitate them as much as possible. The concept of punishment and reward has been introduced in WSSP, which is highly appreciable. Without this, cleanliness is impossible,` he said.

The minister said solid waste management, provision of clean drinlcing water and management of waste water were the core responsibilities of the WSSP.

He said the performance of the WSSP had been up to its mark since its establishment six months ago but a lot more was expected of it.

`A dedicated hotline must beintroduced to receive public complaints. The people should be informed back once their complaints are addressed,` he said.

The minister said improvement in solid waste collection was a commendable service of the WSSP.

He said the initial mandate of the WSSP was for three years and if the experience turned out to be successful, it would be extended to the district level as well.

The minister said water and sanitation services would be replicated at all divisional headquarters very soon. He said all three core responsibilities of the WSSP were directly linked with healthcare, whose improvement was one of the foremost priority of the government.

Speaking on the occasion, WSSP CEO Engineer Naeem Khan said the response of the people to the cleanliness campaign was more than what he had expected.He said the people from all wall(s of life were joining hands with the WSSP to improve water and sanitation services in the city.

`I request the public to support us in cleaning Peshawar and help us maintain at least 90 percent cleanliness in Peshawar,` he said.

The WSSP chief said his organisation was going to initiate a number of small programmes, including door-to-door waste collection on pilot basis in selected parts of the provincial capital and that programme would later be extended to other parts of the city.

He said the WSSP would fulfil its promise of maintaining the city`s cleanliness at 90 percent.

Later, the minister, the municipal corporation administrator and WSSP CEO distributed cash prizes and appreciation certificates among municipal workers for good work. Bureau Report