A lack of preliminary survey, skilled and technical manpower, professionalism of the contractors are causing delays and leaving a lot of incomplete projects.
According to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) data, in the Annual Development Program (ADP) for the FY 2021-22, 356 development works have been marked to be completed.
But project officials themselves are speculating over reaching the target as the Covid-19 situation keeps delaying the development schemes.
In FY 2019-20, 141 projects were declared fulfilled, without finishing all the mentioned project components.
Prior to that, 72 in 2016-17, 104 in 2017-18, and in 101 in 2018-19 remain incomplete against the deadline.
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Experts and concerned officials pointed out that the targets of various development projects should be set in such a way that they can be fully implemented.
Each year the project targets are being proven wrong and this is undermining the credibility of the ADP, they also feared.
In this regard, IMED Secretary Pradeep Ranjan Chakraborty said that it is not desirable to announce completion of a project without concluding it.
He also cited that the current situation is different due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, monitoring will be intensified to ensure that the concerned ministries can implement these projects prior to the deadline” , he added.
But economists also said that due to the lethargy to finish projects, government money is wasted, people do not get results. In fact, in order to speed up ADP's activities, senior officials, including the IMED secretary, need to be on the ground.
Sajibur Rahman, a researcher at Development Research Initiative (DRI) told Dhaka Tribune that project directors can play a significant role in this case.
A project director should focus on a single project, and not take up multiple projects at a time, he also said.
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Absence of coordination among executing agencies in project formulation and implementation at the field level is another key reason, he added.
He also cited that every year, the project targets are being proven unrealistic, which is undermining the credibility of the ADP.
Earlier, the Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National Economic Council (NEC) Sheikh Hasina said, "We have not been able to complete many projects due to the Coronavirus pandemic."
The prime minister also directed that those which are directly related to the welfare of the people should be given the highest priority.
Mentioning domestic project implementation perspective, Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, professor of economics at the University of Dhaka (DU), blamed the absence of project evaluation and monitoring framework.
As the project remains incomplete, the cost adjustment goes up. Lack of capacity causing trouble in project implementation. Not following the overall work plan, starting the project without conducting the survey properly is a major loophole. Capacity development can solve this issue and excessive allocation should be monitored, he also said.
He also highlighted that lack of transparency and accountability in project work at the field level must be addressed.