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Large Sum of Project Money is Taken by Foreign Consultants

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Large Sum of Project Money is Taken by Foreign Consultants
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December 16: The Department of Roads has been hiring consultants for detailed study despite having 27 technical experts at its disposal working in the department’s Project Directorate Office.

The department has to spend excessive amount of budget for acquiring the services of consultants.

According to the 57th report of the Office of the Financial  Comptroller General, the total budget of four projects under the department which are being supported by the Asian Development Bank  is US$ 273.1 million. Out of the total budget, the cost of hiring consultants alone is US$ 22.6 million which is 8.4 percent in average of the total amount.

The report further states that the department has so far appointed seven consultants and prepared project designs and cost estimates of the four projects. Besides that, the department has also been monitoring the work progress and quality control in addition to validating the bills presented by the construction companies.

The department admits weaknesses and flaws in its feasibility studies, detailed survey and designs at the division offices under the department due to limited number of human resources.

The report of the Financial Comptroller General’s Office has pointed out the flaws in budget spent on road projects, birdges and other infrastructures as well as arrears and budget transfer and consultant service charge. The report has suggested the government to reduce the dependence on foreign consultancy service and to develop skilled manpower within the country.

However, the first quarter report of the department states that the human resources at the department is currently not sufficient to conduct surveys and feasibility studies.

The department’s internal report also states that the lack of budget ceiling while announcing the budget for different contracts has forced them to transfer budget from one heading to another.

The department claimed that it has been spending money on consultancy charge as per the existing laws.

 

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