Muzammil calls upon all parties:

Let's make Colombo a model city

By Jaliya WIJEYEKOON

The 2011 Local Government elections held in three phases concluded with the final phase being held on October 8. The UPFA secured victory in almost 80 percent of the local bodies including some of councils which had been under UNP rule for a very long time.

However, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was the centre of attraction of all political leaders and the main parties viz the UPFA and UNP focused their fullest attention on winning power in the CMC with minor parties such as the Democratic People's Front of Mano Ganeshan, SLMC and JVP also fielded candidates under their banners to assess their political strength in the CMC area.

The UPFA launched a campaign with an unprecedented degree of enthusiasm, fielding former minister Milinda Moragoda as their mayoral candidate. A number of ministers was engaged in propaganda activity during the run-up to the election while President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself addressed a few meetings in support of Moragoda's candidature.

The United National Party which was confident of victory in the CMC nominated seasoned and experienced politician, Western Provincial Councillor A.J.M. Muzammil as their Mayoral candidate and launched an equally aggressive election campaign to secure power. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Co. Deputy leaders Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya and all other frontrunners of the party sank petty differences and were heavily involved in the election campaign as there was speculation from certain quarters that the UNP would see its dooms day unless they capture power in the CMC on October 8.

The Run-up to the election period ended at midnight on October 5 and no major incidents of election-related violence were reported in the CMC area.

The United National Party heaved a sigh of relief with the promulgation of election results of the CMC on October 9 after having lost all other councils some of which had been under their rule for ages.

The UPFA has decided to appoint its council heads and deputies shortly and the United National Party has already nominated the Mayor of the CMC and the opposition leaders of the other local bodies.

The Sunday Observer had an exclusive interview with the newly elected Mayor of the CMC A.J.M. Muzammil. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Q: Amidst stiff competition, you secured the CMC for the United National Party. How do you feel about your victory?

A: Well, I don't consider this great victory as a personal achievement.

It is a gross result of the collective effort made by my party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Co-Deputy Leaders Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya, National Organiser Ravi Karunanayake and all other party higher-ups along with party supporters from the grass roots level upwards.

Q: The UPFA Mayoral candidate was backed by everybody in the ruling party. But all their efforts finally proved unsuccessful. What is the reason?

A: You have to understand that Colombo is the cradle of the UNP and no force could defeate the UNP in Colombo under any circumstances. All four electorates which comprise the CMC area are UNP bastions from long ago and even this time we have won quite comfortably in spite of all Government pledges and promises.

I was quite confident of the UNP victory from the day of nomination though some media institutions carried different views.

As a person who constantly moves with the people and rubs shoulders with people from all walks of life, I knew what the majority decision of the CMC folk on October 8 would be. Therefore, we continued our campaign quietly and effectively.

Q: When will you assume duties at the CMC and what are your priorities on assuming duty as the new Mayor?

A: I am awaiting instructions from the Elections Commissioner and my leader to assume duties.

My first priority is to seek the support of all elected members of the CMC in establishing an effective and efficient administration. Although we won the CMC, the UPFA has polled a substantial number of votes and have 16 members in the Council. I know Mr. Moragoda is an innovative person and hope to get him involved in administration at the CMC.

Once I assume duties at the CMC, I will place a fullstop to my party politics within the premises. I am the Mayor of all CMC folk: Those who voted for me, those who voted for the UPFA and other parties and those who refrained from voting I am the mayor for all of them.

Therefore, I am determined to discharge my duties and responsibilities honestly, impartially and effectively to all citizens alike. I may not take party affiliations into consideration in performing my official duties.

However, out of the CMC premises, I shall devote my time to our beloved party organisational activities in Colombo with my leader and all other front-runners in the party.

Q: What are your priorities when addressing the burning issues of the CMC?

A: I have stated in my election manifesto the proposed program of work that we intend to carry out when we take over the administration of the CMC I am sure Mr. Moragoda and all others will extend their support to me. I hope to accommodate Moragoda's manifesto proposals also.

We would also listen to Mano Ganeshan in the burning issues of the CMC area.

I hope to appoint committees for all administrative areas in respect of development activities comprising all CMC members. I am sure that all CMC voters aspirations will be represented in the administrative mechanism of the Council.

Q: The UPFA Government is in the process of setting up a Metropolitan Authority covering the CMC and four other Councils around it. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirmed this at a recent press briefing at Temple Trees. In such a situation, do you think that you will be able to carry out the work proposed by you?

A: I am unable to directly comment on it since it is a complicated issue. However, if it is for the benefit of the people, we may extend our cooperation.

I heard President Rajapaksa clearly stating that the powers and responsibilities of Council heads would remain the same even under such an Authority and that he would equally support all local bodies whether they are under the rule of the UPFA or any other party.

Q: One of the major problems faced by the CMC is people living in unauthorised structures due to the non-availability of proper dwellings. How would you tackle this problem?

A: The term 'un-authorised structure' is not a valid term. The people in such areas have been residing there for a very long time and have obtained electricity, sometimes water and even pay assessment tax to the Council. So, how can you say that they live in unauthorised structures?

It's true that they should be given proper housing facilities without forcibly evicting them and putting them on the road. The CMC has provided housing projects in the past. We hope to do this again as early as possible.

Q: How would you find the finances for such projects?

A: There is a lot of foreign funding lined up for CMC development activities. I hope to negotiate with different agencies - foreign and local to find finances for these projects.

Q: The CMC annual revenue is about Rs. 6,700 million. Do you hope to use this money to put up new houses for city dwellers?

A: No, the annual revenue of the CMC is in the region of Rs. 8,000 million to Rs. 9,000 million. However, we have to spend an almost similar amount of money to upkeep the city, on maintenance purposes and on wages. The CMC has the biggest workforce in the island.

We do not hope to build houses on ratepayers account. As I told you earlier, we may seek foreign assistance for housing projects.

Not only that, the city's sewerage system is in a dilapidated condition.

Our priority would be to rehabilitate the sewerage system. Some of the canals and drains get blocked even after a slight shower and most of the roads go under water, causing inconvenience to motorists and the public. We hope to address this problem also immediately.

Q: Sanitary facilities and hygienic conditions of shanty dwellers are major problems faced by the CMC over the years. What action would be taken under your stewardship to solve this burning issue.

A: We would appoint different committees to supervise and monitor the performances of various aspects of administration. The sector you mentioned comes under health. We will take steps to provide urgent sanitary facilities.

We have a large workforce of public health inspectors under our wings at the CMC.

Their services have not been properly harnessed during the last few years due to the lack of a proper administration. Under my stewardship, everybody will have to work for the remuneration they get.

The health sector covers the removal of garbage, maintenance of public latrines, public dispensaries and maternity homes, supervision of hotel kitchens, boutiques, catering services, eateries, markets vegetable, fish and meat and various other service providing institutions.

We will make every effort to provide a better service to city folk by properly monitoring each area.

Q: You have got a comprehensive program of work and a genuine desire to work for the betterment of city folk irrespective of any differences. What do you have to say to the CMC people?

A: Let us work together to make the city a better place which everybody could be proud of.