The PMO directive to utility agencies

We are heartened by the Prime Minister's Office's circular to the chiefs of all utility service providers in the capital, directing them to attend general meetings of the two city corporations and implement meeting decisions in order to ensure civic amenities. We believe that this is a step in the right direction. This should also ensure efficient functioning of the civic bodies. We are indeed surprised to note that the general meetings are not regularly held, and, on most of the occasions, are under-represented by the utility service providers. The directive will surely make the heads of these organisations understand the gravity of the situation.

Governing mega cities in modern democracies is a complex affair, usually done by city governments, which coordinate the work of all service providers so as to avoid wastage of resources and duplication of work. Dhaka, from a small municipality, has mutated into a large metropolis in quick time. It has expanded in terms of population, but the attendant services have not been able to keep pace with it. Hopefully this new arrangement will put a stop to the lackadaisical attitude that some utility service providers are plagued with.

The new arrangement should not be seen as a pretext of exerting power by the mayors, but used as a means to provide efficient service to the people of this city. The two city corporations must be made more functional and the general meetings must be regularly held. Also, the standing committees have to be activated for smooth coordination of the civic amenities. The Mayors should seize on this opportunity and plug the holes in the system in order to make sure that the city dwellers enjoy the benefits of living in a large city.