TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: While councillors were quick to shower praises on Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes for the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) award to the Council and the chief officer, residents are not sure if the Council deserved the award in the first place.
Incidentally, most councillors were unaware of the international award bestowed on MMC and its chief officer, until the award was highlighted in the Herald.
At a council meeting on Friday, the councillors complimented Fernandes for the achievement.
MMC Chairperson Fiola Rego said the council is lucky to have an efficient officer like Fernandes and urged him to guide the council in the same fervour in future for the development of the city.
Councillor Tara Kerkar also complimented Fernandes, but added: “The achievement does not stop here, but Fernandes should take up development ward-wise and inform the concerned councillors before starting the work in the particular ward.”
Kerkar brought to his notice that the council lacks discipline and he should take up the task of disciplining them.
Councillor Nanny D’Souza requested Fernandes to carry on the good work and urged him to inform the councillors before taking up developmental works in their wards.
Councillor Saifullha Khan stated that if the council without doing much work can get such an international award, then if the council really works hard and for the betterment of the city and its citizens, then the council will get better international awards.
Chief Officer Fernandes has thanked the councillors for the compliments and said it was teamwork and felt that everyone, including the administrative staff and the councillors, should be patted for the achievement.
However, some residents took strong objection to former Vasco MLA Jose Philip D’Souza’s remark that MMC got the award due to development done during his tenure.
“Except for construction of the Tilak Maidan, Vasco has not seen any development for the last so many years. Vasco is a planned city which was designed by the Portuguese. The council and all the politicians have failed to maintain it,” said a citizen.
The citizens alleged that the councillors have failed to take up any major development despite being supported by the BJP-led government in the State.
