ISLAMABAD: The construction of 104 family suites for the members of the parliament is facing delay as the “site for the main block was occupied by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and 111 Brigade authorities”.

This information was provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) while explaining reasons for the delay in the completion of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects in Islamabad. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) had approved the PC-1 of the family suites project in January 2010.

The cost of the project was Rs2.9 billion and as per its PC-1 it was supposed to be completed by January 2013.

CDA informs PAC the site of the project is occupied by NAB, 111 Brigade

Though the CDA had provided the information regarding ‘forced’ occupation of the site by NAB and 111 Brigade in writing to the PAC, the authority chairman Maroof Afzal while briefing the committee claimed that the contractor was responsible for the delay and the CDA had also imposed Rs270 million as liquidity damage on the firm.

He, however, assured the committee that the work on the site was likely to be completed by the year end.

The CDA chairman also informed the PAC that the Punjab government had started the work on the proposed water reservoir for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He said the Rs5.3 billion Charah Dam was supposed to be completed by April 2014. The construction work on the dam could not be started due to unavailability of land and manifold increase in the cost of the project. The project was being executed by the Punjab government. CDA will only transfer Rs2.6 billion funds on behalf of the federal government to the province.

Afzal, however, informed the committee that the Punjab government had started the process of acquiring land for the project and the construction would likely to be started soon.

The CDA chairman informed the committee that it lacked funds for the repair and maintenance of Parliament Lodges. He said that some family suites were in irreparable condition.

In response to objections raised by Sheikh Rashid Ahmed over what he said carpeting of neat and clean road in upscale sectors and ignoring city areas Afzal said the CDA was repairing major as well as service roads out of Rs5 billion funds released by the prime minister for roads rehabilitation and expansion progremme.

He said that out of Rs5 billion, the CDA has allocated Rs1.8 billion for widening of Islamabad expressway and Rs1.9 billion for repairs of other roads.

He, however, said that in the next phase, CDA would start reconstruction and roads’ repair work of sectors G, I and H.

Afzal also informed the committee that the work on Peshawar Mor interchange would be completed by March 23. He said the project was conceived by the CDA a few years back but could not be started due to scarcity of funds. He said that CDA had recommended to the federal government to include this project in the Metro Bus Project.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2016