Key Takeaways
- CMIT has identified significant administrative and operational issues in LWMC.
- Discrepancies in vehicle tracking and maintenance records have been reported.
- Special audit of fuel consumption, mileage, and repair expenses is recommended.
The Punjab Chief Minister Inspection Team (CMIT) has uncovered serious administrative and operational deficiencies in the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), according to a report submitted to the Punjab chief minister.
The CMIT’s inspection highlighted gaps in vehicle maintenance records, discrepancies between workshop records and the vehicle tracking system, and a significant number of non-functional vehicles, raising concerns about the company’s operational efficiency.
During the inspection, the CMIT noted inconsistencies between the vehicle tracking system and records maintained at LWMC’s workshops. Vehicles that had reportedly been parked for repairs for approximately 15 days were shown as ‘non-reporting’ by the tracking system for around two months, prompting the CMIT to call for reconciliation of the two sets of records.
The inspection team also found that some vehicles had remained non-functional for months, despite being parked at the Outfall Road and Thokar parking yards and workshops. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of LWMC informed the team that the company itself carried out vehicle repairs and maintenance.
According to LWMC officials, most of the unserviceable vehicles had been handed over by the predecessor company, Al Burak, in 2021. The officials stated that Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) had been removed by the predecessor company, rendering the vehicles non-functional.
The CMIT’s report recommends expediting the disposal of condemned vehicles, which currently number 291. The auction process had been held up due to litigation involving international contractors, but the matter has recently been resolved.
Another concern highlighted by the CMIT is the absence of a computerized system for recording and monitoring vehicle maintenance. Records concerning engine oil changes, repairs, and maintenance were found to be kept manually.
The Punjab chief minister has directed the administrative department to address these deficiencies and take corrective action, with particular emphasis on conducting a special audit of LWMC’s fuel consumption, mileage, and repair and maintenance expenses.
The Auditor General of Pakistan has also been asked to deploy an audit team to examine the company’s fuel consumption, mileage, and repair and maintenance expenses, as per the CMIT’s recommendations.
