Of garbage collection and pavement hawking

Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil explains the difficulties and future plans:

by Ranil Wijayapala

Colombo, Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil

Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil has come under heavy flak over two pertinent issues- his decision to permit pavement hawkers to sell their ware in selected streets within Colombo city limits during the festive season and garbage which has piled up around the city due to non collection.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer He explains what had gone wrong with the city's garbage cleaning process and future plans to address the issues of pavement hawkers.

Excerpts:

WWW. dailynews.lk

Q: The decision taken by you to permit pavement hawkers to do business in selected streets in Colombo during the festive season has come under severe criticism. What made you to take this decision?

A: I think this issue is blown out of proportion. During the festive seasons, in the past, we have allowed pavement hawkers to do business in Main Street and Fiirst, Second, Third and Fourth Cross Streets in the Pettah. This has been the position for the past so many years during Sinhala New Year, Vesak, Ramazan and Christmas seasons.

This time around, pavement hawkers feared they will not be permitted due to agitation by some sections of the public. When the festive season began, I sent the usual letter permitting them to do business in their former spots. I sent references to the IGP and the Environment Police. But this is only for the Pettah and I will not permit them to do business anywhere else.

Q: What about Main Street?

A: There were no pavements down Main Street and no walkways for pedestrians. Six months ago, pedestrians were walking on the streets. I did up the entire road, leaving sufficient space for pedestrian footpaths. So, during the festive season we allowed pavement vendors do business on the Main Street also. But this time we did not allow as opposed to last December.

Q: There is criticism about attempts to ride on the vote base of pavement hawkers through this act?

A: Not at all. This is an administrative matter.

When we talk about relocating vendors, there must be a marketing strategy for them. From Olcott Mawatha onwards, around 300 vendors are displaced. There is no place for them to do business. What happened to the Floating Market? The Floating Market did not operate as expected. There are many vacant shops. There is a huge problem with spots provided for businesses.

Q: After investing a lot of money to create business places for pavement hawkers, don't you think that permitting them temporarily on the pavements will have an impact on the entire process?

A: Undoubtedly. But all of them were not provided with places to do businesses. Some have got stalls but they still prefer to sell on the pavement during the festive season.

Actually, there should be a plan when relocating them based on proper evaluation. We should eventually ensure that they do not occupy the pavements in the Pettah. We are trying to streamline the process.

Q: What are the problems you have identified so far?

A: For example, at Bodhiraja Mawatha, 1200 stalls have been given to pavement hawkers. They are under the umbrella of the Self Employed Persons' Federation.

They have got the stalls and put their henchmen there. None of them are doing business there. All have leased the stalls.

What had happened is that these people have used their political clout and have obtained about two stalls. Some have five to ten shops. Political henchmen want to sell it upfront for a lump sum and make a quick buck. So it is not easy to solve this problem.

Q: How are you going to resolve the issue?

A: When I started a new market in Malwatta Road, just by the side of Main Street, I promised everyone a stall but wanted them to be physically present to do business.

I issued identity cards and required them to wear them. Otherwise, we will not allow them to enter the premises. I issued 392 identity cards and required police supervision on the matter. Up to today, only 105 people have turned out.

The rest did not. Now, 290 people have not turned out because they are not doing business.

They are mostly three wheel drivers and have other shops to look after as well. My scheme seeks to stop the ongoing abuse of the current system.

Q: This means, you are addressing the issue of pavement hawkers. Can you assure that pavement hawkers will not be back in the streets during the next festive season?

A: I am doing my best to solve this problem. We have appointed a committee. I have faith that the committee will look into the grievances of those who have lost their livelihood. They should also be placed somewhere. I am talking to the UDA Chairman and the UDA- appointed committee. We will be able to soon streamline the process.

Q: If it is so politicized as you mentioned, there could be even pressure exerted on you?

A: It is already settled. No politician can take the upper hand. Political interference has drastically reduced already. It was first an attempt to push the municipal administrators to the wall. I can handle pressure and won't be influenced.

Q: Another serious concern is the collection of garbage within the Colombo city limits. There are complaints about irregular collection?

A: I agree that some problems do exist. But adverse publicity is often given without finding out details.

Q: Rate payers are concerned about the cleanliness of the city. That is why the issue gets a lot of attention?

A: Last week was a bad week. There was consistent heavy rain. Our vehicles could not go up in the dump yard in Meethotamulla because the area is very slippery. We have to maintain the Meethotamulla site and a backlog of garbage was cleared from various points in the city. A new contract has been signed with CareKlean. Last Friday (3), I had a meeting with the Environment Police. Cleaning companies have been issued with strict orders and they have to ensure systematic collection of garbage. Things will improve in the next few days.

Q: The issues with the Meethotamulla garbage dump still exists. How will you address the problem permanently?

A: We don't have a permanent place for the disposal of garbage. We have been working on it for many years. There is a new initiative to move garbage to Puttalam. We are shifting the Meethotamulla dump to Puttalam. During the first phase, we relocated 165 families from the Meethotamulla site area. We gave them permanent housing. Last week, we cleared 107 families by paying Rs.1.5 million. They will move out soon. CMC has two clear acres due to the relocation of persons. We have to maintain this site for another two years. We intend transferring Meethotamulla garbage to Puttalam by rail. This is now being worked on.

Q: Shifting of garbage from one point to another is not a permanent solution. What about CMC having a proper waste management system including recycling plants?

A: Puttalam is not going to be a landfill site. There will be projects to generate power and other byproducts from the waste.

Q: That has been discussed for years now but nothing has materialized yet.

A: This is an initiative of the former government. The current government is taking it forward. Funds have been allocated. We have to evacuate 380 families and the Treasury has allocated funds to support this initiative.

Q: Earlier, there was a better supervisory mechanism with regard to the collection of garbage. What happened?

A: Even today, I got the entire environmental Police to coordinate the entire process. There had been a gap. I have reissued strict orders to them. This will be addressed in a few days.

Q: Do you get the same cooperation from the Defence Ministry and the UDA to keep the city clean?

A: We are collaborating very well. But it will take time. Earlier it was a civil military command. But now it is only civil command.

Q: Does that mean the civil military command is stronger than the civil command?

A: Of course you must acknowledge that civil military command is stronger than the civil command.

Q: Does it mean that the command is now weak?

A: Our policy and approach are different. We can do it but it requires adjustments. I have told the Environment Police that garbage collection is weak and the sector needs supervision.

Q: The former Defence Secretary has told the media that you should be removed from the post of Mayor due to your failure to address the pavement hawkers' issue. Your response?

A: He tried to unseat me when I contested but he could not defeat me. These are just attempts to draw attention.