A flood management project worth Tk993.37 crore is set to start from April to improve the livelihoods of the people living in the country’s haor regions.
However, questions have been raised regarding the high cost fixed for hiring a consultant firm, which amounts to almost 10% of the entire project.
Sources said the Water Resources Ministry has decided to appoint a Japanese consultant firm to run the eight-year-long project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
An official at the ministry said a proposal on appointing Nippon Koei Co Ltd will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Tuesday. The consultant fee is estimated to be around Tk88.32 crore.
According to the proposal, the tender evaluation committee selected Nipon Koei after reviewing other consultants from Netherlands, India, and Australia.
Water Resources Secretary Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan told Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the consultant fee was too high.
“We are helpless regarding foreign-funded projects, as the ministry is appointing a consultant with high cost,” he said.
Under the project, dams will be constructed and repaired in five Haor basins – Netrokona, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj and Sunamganj – along with constructing floodgates and digging canals.
On March 7, an agreement was signed between the Economic Relations Division and the Japanese government to construct flood management facilities and strengthen rural infrastructures in haor areas to boost vulnerable farmers’ livelihoods.
Under this project, Jica will also lend $97m in the form of agricultural loans and agricultural training services to be provided through microfinance institutions to increase productivity and diversity of marginal farmers.