Inordinate delays inflicting huge losses on exchequer

ZAHEER ABBASI

ISLAMABAD: Delays in the execution of development projects and their cost escalation is causing a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

This was stated by senior officials of Ministry of Housing and Works during a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee, which met here on Thursday to discuss budgetary proposals relating to ministry's programmes under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the next fiscal year as well as status of the on-going projects.

According to officials, almost all the projects being implemented by the Ministry are facing some delays. They especially mentioned a project of National Accountability Bureau. The officials maintained that a NAB project was approved in 2005 with an estimated cost of Rs 505 million but delay in the award of contract and start of work till 2011 has led to escalate its cost to Rs 2 billion. The committee was informed that the Ministry has prepared 12 new projects at an estimated cost of Rs 4.5 billion, which would be submitted to Planning Commission for approval and allocation of funds in the next fiscal year.

The projects include; construction/ rehabilitation of play grounds, improvement/ rehabilitation of a cricket stadium with an estimated cost of Rs 60 million, construction of federal lodges at Bannu with an estimated cost of Rs 131.419 million, construction of federal lodge near circuit house at D.I. Khan with an estimated cost of Rs 133.036 million, provision of gas facilities at five union councils in NA-26 has been prepared with an estimated cost of Rs 250 million and boring of small tube wells and installation of submersible pumping sets at various union councils at an estimated cost of Rs 200 million and sought an allocation of Rs 50 million for 2015-16.

Ministry of Housing and Works has also prepared a project for establishment of Nawaz Sharif Hall for indoor games at Faisalabad with an estimated cost of Rs 252.461 million and requested for allocation of Rs 20 million in the budget for the next fiscal year along with reconstruction of a block for the NAB office Karachi at an estimated cost of Rs 59.988 million. The ministry also requested for an allocation of Rs 2 million in next fiscal year. The committee was further informed that a project for up-gradation of Bannu Airport has also been prepared and it would be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval with an estimated cost of Rs 2.970 billion and requested for allocation of Rs 500 million in budget for the next fiscal year. The Ministry has also prepared a project for improvement of sewerage system from Wafaqi Colony flats to Shawkat Khanum disposal station in Johar Town Lahore with an estimated cost of Rs 95.341 million, provision of lifts in AG Office Peshawar at an estimated cost Rs 9.975 million, renovation and construction of reception office at Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Islamabad with the projected cost of Rs 19.945 million and acquisition of land and construction of boundary wall for Public Works Department (PWD) with a cost of Rs 69.497 million.