Hamstrung by slow disbursement of funds and land acquisition problems, agencies implementing six Saudi-funded projects for upgrading a 50-bed cancer hospital to a 500-bed one are facing serious hurdles. According to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the implementing agencies, though the agreement between the Saudi Fund for Development or the Saudi Development Fund (SDF) and the ERD was signed in 2006 for upgrading the 50-bed National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital to a 500-bed one, progress in its implementation has not been satisfactory.
The sources further pointed out that the cost of materials has mostly doubled or tripled during the past seven years. The construction firm is not interested in continuing the work unless the project cost is increased, taking into account the escalation in the cost of materials.
ERD sources added that the government has so far received only USD 1.82 million out of USD 15 million of the SDF.
Under the project plan, it was scheduled to carry out eight construction works. Of the eight construction works, the implementing agency is constructing only three works.
The rest have not been implemented as the authorities have failed to acquire lands for the project.
A review meeting was held at the ERD on December 2 for reviewing the progress of the SDF-funded projects.
The implementing agency also pointed out that a writ petition was pending before the High Court, preventing it from acquiring land for constructing the two 16-storied residential buildings for the hospital staff.
On the other hand, the SDF has disbursed just USD 3.89 million out of USD 8 million over seven years for the 250-bed National Eye Institute and Hospital. The funds were provided to purchase equipment for establishing a centre of excellence.
Sources said the SDF did not disburse money as the records of the construction works of the hospital were not maintained in accordance with the detailed project plan.
The implementing, monitoring and evaluation division also detected massive corruption during its implementation.
Similarly, the Mogbazar-Mouchak flyover project (Saudi portion of USD 81.34 million), third Shitalokkha Bridge (USD 45 million), renovation works of the Teesta main canal and related structures under the command area of the Teesta barrage project (phase 1) (USD 1.27 million) and the Shikalbaha 225 MW dual fuel combined cycle power plant (USD 167.73 million) are being delayed as a result of the slow disbursement of funds.
-With The Independent input
