LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Saaf Pani Project (SPP) is a revolutionary programme of the Punjab government under which potable water will be made available to every citizen of the province during next four and a half years.
Presiding over a meeting on SPP on Monday, he said that a separate company would be set up for the speedy implementation of the project. He also the directed concerned institutions and departments to work in a coordinated manner to finish the project in time and warned that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.
MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Javed Ikhlas, Major (r) Tahir Iqbal, Provincial Minister for Housing & Urban Development Tanvir Aslam, and concerned officers were present.
The chief minister said that provision of safe drinking water to citizens is the priority of the government as it is essential for saving them from diseases.
Shahbaz Sharif said that there is a need for capacity-building of the departments concerned with this programme and the topic of importance of potable water would have to be made a part of syllabus on the pattern of dengue. He said that a high standard of work on the project would be ensured and community participation would be acquired for the ownership of filtration plants.
The chief minister also directed that a survey be conducted in the province regarding non-operational water schemes and a report be submitted to him as early as possible.
He also issued instructions for appointing international consultant for the project. Shahbaz Sharif said that a comprehensive system of check and balance would be evolved for Saaf Pani Project.
Earlier, Managing Director NESPAK gave a briefing on the project while Secretary Housing informed about non-operational water schemes.