CHOGM target:

City goes pell mell to meet beautification deadline

By Ranil Wijayapala

Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) summit is an important event for Sri Lanka and for the city of Colombo as it is the hosting city for the main events that are to unfold. Colombo city will be the focus of attention and is preparing for that grand event to be held in the middle of next month. The Colombo Municipal Council(CMC), the governing body of Colombo city plays a big role in this endeavour. Resurfacing of roads, pavements and beautifying the city has become a common scene in the city these days. While preparing for the event the CMC also faces many challenges as the local Government body responsible for the city. We spoke to the man in action , Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil at his private residence to get a sneak peek into the activities of the CMC and the challenges it faces to meet the deadline.

Excerpts of the interview .

Q: We see a lot of construction work going on in the Colombo city in preparation for CHOGM in November. Can you tell us how the CMC is preparing for the event and continueing its work in preparation for the CHOGM?

A: When it was announced that CHOGM was scheduled to be held in Colombo, I spoke to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and told him that the CMC had an important role to play. At that time we were not contacted and we did not know what the arrangements and programs were.

After my discussion with the President, Foreign Minister G.L.Peiris and Foreign Secretary,Karunatilleka Amunugama contacted me and told me what was taking place and the important areas that had to be taken care of. We gave top priority to this national event.

The Council supported the view that we must participate and we must do everything within our capacity to beautify the city to attract delegates participating in the event.

It is not only Heads of Government, there would be other delegates and the international media coming to the country for the event. There will be events to promote business and tourism. All these factors are incorporated in the agenda.

Q: How did you plan and how many months did you take to make preparations?

A: By the time the decision was taken to hold the event in Colombo the beautification of the city had commenced under the World Bank funded Metro Colombo Urban Development Program under the auspices of the Urban Development Authority(UDA) and the Minister in charge of UDA and the Mini Defence. They have arranged and negotiated to get the necessary funds, and nearly 70 million US dollars has been allocated, for the development of the places such as Town Hall Square, Vihara Maha Devi Park, Union Place, Lake House roundabout, Vauxhall Street , Dharmapala Mawatha. All these projects were lined up under the MCUDP, the World Bank funded project.

The planning was done by the CMC engineers, though they were outsourced to private contractors according to the procedure adopted by the World Bank. The CMC also had to support the World Bank funded projects in identified areas by way of a counter development.

Funds for asphalt laying of the city roads developed under the WB funded project was borne by the CMC. That cost nearly Rs.450 to 500 million. When we were moving with that program ,the CHOGM program came.

Q: What are the areas the CMC has to develop for CHOGM- related activities in the city?

A: With the CHOGM program we had to develop main routes from the Nelum Pokuna roundabout along Horton Place upto Model Farm junction. We had to do the entire road, walk ays and a part of its landscaping. This wasc incorporated into the other development- related activities, exclusively done by the CMC. Then Rosmead Place and Wijerama Mawatha all these are additional costs borne by the Council for CHOGM. The CMC allocated nearly Rs.400 million for the CHOGM development activities. We are spending nearly Rs.1 billion for these development activities.

The RDA is involved with the Baseline Road development and beautification. We have invested even for the new bus shelters. We have introduced greenery to make the city green. Flower arrangements will be done by the Municipal Council.

Q: What are the exclusive items the cMC is involved in for CHOGM ?

A: We are erecting the welcome pandal at Baseline Road. An event has been scheduled at the Baseline Road library. Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles is expected to visit the library. Colombo is getting ready fort a CHOGAM festive season.

Q: Will Colombo city benefit by the venture?

A: Yes, of course. There is overall development in the city with the city beautification program. But the benefit is not only for of Colombo. It is an economic and tourist hub. Colombo has to look good, after the Katunayake Expressway is opened foreigners will be in Colombo within 15 to 20 minutes from the airport. More tourists and other visitors to Colombo are expected in Colombo. Colombo and the people will benefit.

Q: From the people's perspective, they feel these preparations are hurriedly done as a last minute preparation by the CMC. Do you agree with this view ?

A: I don't think so, because the work has been outsourced and supervised by our engineers. It is not a hurriedly done job. Because of the pace , this might be the view. I have activated the engineers. This is an example for me to follow in next year's budget. I am sure the budget allocation will be over in three months, the way work is going on.

Q:Some media reports say that the CMC was shifting the blame on contractors for the delay in projects.

How could you counter these allegations?

A: This happens. There were some delays. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to our rescue by providing a nearly 250 work force from the Civil Defence Force. They are a disciplined set of workers. They come on time. They waste no time.

They work. In fact, Defence Secretary gave permission to deploy them for some private sector outsource companies which have shown slow progress . But they have to pay for that work. They have done a remarkable job and they have worked with our workforce. We were able to reach the targets fast.

Q: How many more days have been given to you to complete this task?

A: I hope to relax at the end of the month . It will be over by end October.

Q: In some places construction work has been done in a haphazard manner. It seems that it has been done without a proper plan?

A: It was only at the Lake House roundabout that this situation arose. At other places we did not re-do any construction work. The Lake House roundabout is special because it is a congested traffic area during peak hours.

We had to monitor the flow of traffic. We had to change the design to suit the situation. Now there is a smooth flow of traffic opposite Lake House

In fact there was a delay and that was a practical problem. Those situation are anticipated. We had to raise certain levels of the road and then had to change the size of the islands without disturbing the original plan. These things have to be tested for two three days to see the traffic flow progress. Finally an efficient traffic flow in the area was seen.

Q: There were reports that you have asked some residents to colour wash houses and business places in view of CHOGM. What made you to make such a request?

A: I made a humble request. It is no compulsion. Supposed if are a privileged residence in Horton Place, neat pavements have been constructed and bautifully landscaped. It is beautiful when you get out of the house. Money has been spent to beautify.

Is it unreasonable to ask residents to extend their support by making gardens beautiful and painting boundary walls? If the CMC paints it will be offending because it may not b the colour preference of residents. I made a request and I am sure all those who live in these areas are those who can afford to do this. Is it unreasonable to make such a request?

Q: What is the response from residents for your request?

A: Most of them are responded in a positive manner, only a few grumbled. This is usual.

Q: Do you think the beautifying will be limited to the CHOGM event?

A: We will continue to maintain it. I am not going to waste this kind of investment. It will be CHOGM everyday for us.

Q: It seems that the United National Party, the party you represent is going to boycott the main events of CHOGM. As a members representing the UNP how would it affect you?

A: I don't think there is a final decision on that issue by the UNP. I haven't heard of such a decision. So I cannot comment on that.

Q: As the Mayor of Colombo are you going to participate in the event?

A: Of course as the Mayor and as the first citizen of Colombo if I say I am boycotting the CHOGM I feel that I am doing a serious injustice to the nation. I won't to do a thing like that. This is not politics for me. I do my politics with the UNP. This is an event with national importance.

Q: Even if the UNP takes a decision to boycott the event are you going to participate in the conference?

A: As I said earlier I am not aware of a decision taken by the UNP. I don't go by media reports. Today there is an anti UNP media campaign. I don't want to get involved in it. Let my leader to take his decisions.

There is time for that. In all fairness, my party and leader have never asked me and never questioned me about what I am doing. This means he is hundred percent supportive of me.

Q: Digressing into CMC activities, there was an incident where some important documents of the Council were been burnt and destroyed. What is the present situation about that?

A: Investigations are going on into the incident. The Inspector General of Police is holding inquiries into it.

Our internal investigation units have completed the investigations and I have handed over that report to the Police and the relevant authorities. it is upto the higher authorities to take a decision. It is upto them. But nobody can get out of the law, justice will prevail one day.

Q: Is there any attempt to reduce powers of the Municipal Commissioners following this incident?

A: I am not trying to do that. Commissioners have power. Those powers are given by the Muncipality Act. I am trying to restore powers to the Council. Because in 1981 the Council has passed a resolution which actually highly questionable. That has even gone to a extent overriding the constitution itself. So sometimes all what we do and the decision we take, can become illegal and nullified one day. Somebody has to put it right. It is not against any individual and it is not against the commissioner. There is no issues with the commissioner. But it is only the powers vested in the Council that has been diluted in 1981 by a resolution so that has to be rectified.

Q: How will CMC face the challenge of solid waste management in the city which has become a big issue recently?

A: I must tell you that we are way behind in solving that issue. Once the burden of CHOGM is over my next target is to give priority and to find an effective and permanent solution to this problem.

Q: The CMC started a program to separate waste at household level. What is the progress of that project?

A: That program is not effective. But we have to do that. Now the entire Council, the commissioner, engineers are involved in CHOGM work. The solid waste management project has got the blessings of the entire council.

Q: You have promised to construct new houses for the people affected by the Meethotamulla dump site. What is the situation?

A: We are in the process of finding a suitable land for this. We have advertised to find land to construct these houses. We will find a solution for this soon.

Q: How long would it take?

A: We have advertised to find land because no Government institution gave me land for this purpose. We will have to buy land and construct those houses.

Q: What are the major projects that you are aiming to embark in the coming year?

A: Next year we are moving towards developing under- served settlements, the beautification of the city should be extended to under- served settlements also. Their living standards have to be raised. Their living environment has to be improved. That is my plan for the next year. Apart from that many projects come under the MCUDP will also be implemented next year that will enable to us to develop Galle Road upto Wellawatta and Duplication Road upto Bambalapitiya. This will then give a new look to the city along with other development activities.