Expressing dissatisfaction at delay in implementation of development projects, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked different departments concerned to strengthen coordination among them to avert delay in project activities.
“The Prime Minister has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace in our [development] works and asked all concerned to expedite those. Lack of coordination [in implementation of projects] came to her [PM’s] notice…she repeatedly asked different departments to strengthen it [coordination],” said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a virtual briefing after the weekly Ecnec meeting on Tuesday.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), in its 3rd meeting of the current fiscal year held with Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, approved six projects with an outlay of some Tk1,137 crore.
“We’ve placed six projects of four ministries at the meeting. All the projects were approved. The total estimated cost of implementation of the projects is Tk1,136.84 crore,” said MA Mannan.
Of the cost, Tk1,028.51 crore will come from the state coffer while Tk108.30 crore from foreign sources as project assistance, Mannan said.
Among the projects, four are fresh while the rest two are revised ones, said the minister.
Both the prime minister and the planning minister joined the meeting from Ganabhaban through a videoconference, while other Ecnec members were connected from NEC Bhaban.
Three of the six projects are of the Water Resources Ministry, while one each of Agriculture and Housing and Public Works Ministries, and the Road Transport and Highways Division.
The two revised projects are “Widening and Improvement of Khulna Shipyard Road (1st revised) Project” with rise of Tk132.63 crore; and “Land Acquisition for Road widening of Nangalbandh-Minar Bari part of Langalbandh-Kaikartek-Nabiganj district highway (1st revised) Project” with an additional cost of Tk138.84 crore.
While revising the Khulna Shipyard Road project, the prime minister expressed her resentment for slow pace in the project works and asked the authorities concerned to find out the reasons behind the delay, said the planning minister.
“Unfortunately its pace is very slow. Here the prime minister expressed resentment and annoyance. She asked us to find out the reasons,” said Mannan.
During revision of Langalbandh land acquisition project, the PM also showed resentment as lack of coordination was seen and unnecessary complexities were created there, he said.
Sheikh Hasina directed the authorities concerned to take measures for preventing unnecessary delay in the project works.
The prime minister highly appreciated “Intensification of crops in the greater Mymensingh region project” approved in the meeting, said the planning minister adding that the project will be implemented with the cost of Tk123.66 crore by December 2024.
Three other projects are “Re-excavation of Titas River (lower Titas) at Titas and Homna upazilas in Comilla” with the cost of Tk76.25 crore; Protection of Jamuna River’s Right Bank from erosion at Goghat, Khanbari and surrounding areas in Sadar and Sundarganj upazilas of Gaibandha project with Tk401.79 crore; and Char Development and Settlement Project-Bridging (Additional Financing) (BWDB part) with Tk263.67 crore.
