Team Herald
MAPUSA: Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Friday stated that the former and present chairpersons of Margao Municipal Council should not play politics over Margao garbage issue.
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Lobo further assured the people to solve the Sonsoddo issue before the end of the BJP government term.
Denying the allegations made by the MMC, Waste Management Minister said, “We have given a proposal to the municipality for administrative approval with the details of the preliminary estimate for the seven biomethanation plants. The term of this council is getting over on November 4 and before that ends if the administrative approval is not given then the work will remain pending.”
“The proposal is sent with an estimated figure. This amount is of the vendors who are registered on the portal and traders who are going to build the plants with the technology that we require which is valid and legal. Till now even bidding is not done but still the present council and former council is trying to play politics on the garbage issue to win the election,” Lobo added.
“Nobody can win the coming council election on the basis of the garbage issue and nobody should take up the garbage issue to win an election including the panel of the BJP who is going to contest the election. At present, the waste which is piled up at Sonsoddo will be sent to the cement factory and seven biomethanation plants will be set up. Cost of these projects will be openly known to the people since it will be on the website so nobody should misguide the people,” the minister said.
“So many years the problem was left unsolved. Fomento Green left the project because they knew our ministry would take care of it. We have proved it at Saligao-Calangute plant how everyday dry as well as wet waste is tackled and utilised to create electricity and recycled waste is sent to factories for further use,” Lobo informed.
Lobo also mentioned that after the COVID-19 pandemic the ministry has put on track the Bainguinim project tender and also advances amounting to Rs 10 crore are paid to the contractors, who will work on the Cacora plant.
Lobo further questioned, “If the present and former council knew everything why they didn’t clear the garbage.”
“If the municipal funds are utilised then why there is piles of garbage at Sonsoddo. The tenders of this project will be put on the portal with requirement of technology followed by which the quotations will come and work order will be given. After all this, if the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) goes wrong then the council can play politics but not now,” Lobo said.
