King Abdullah University: ERRA’s ‘error’ leaves campus clinging

Donor threatens to withdraw funds if delays continue, locals demand action.

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Kashmir Supreme Court Friday refused interim relief on ERRA’s appeal against a court decision awarding a university campus-completion contract to a private firm.

The apex court fixed January 26 for the next hearing of the case.

The high court awarded the contract for the Chattar Campus of King Abdullah University to Paragon on December 31, 2010, after the firm challenged Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority’s (ERRA) decision to invite new bids for the project. Paragon’s bid is said to be the lowest.

Making things more complicated, Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the donor agency footing the Rs5.47 billion cost of the project, had set January 2011 as the deadline for the construction work to start.

SFD officials have reportedly threatened to shift the funds provided for construction to flood relief if ERRA did not change its attitude.

ERRA had cancelled the work award and called bids for a new tender without citing any reasons. This was challenged by Paragon in the AJK High Court who then awarded the project to the private firm.

The project is scheduled to be completed three years after it starts.

Land for the project has already been acquired in Chattar near Muzaffarabad.

Officers Welfare Association and Academic Staff Association of the University of AJK also condemned ERRA’s delay tactics during a press conference at Central Press Club Muzaffarabad on Friday.

Association representatives Raja Ashaq Hussain, Imtaiz Awan and Zafar Iqbal said they will resist any attempts to jeopardize the mega project.

Academics questioned ERRA’s decision to award a work contract to a company that was not fulfilling the criteria and sought details behind the subsequent cancellation of the contract.

They said the construction of the campus should have been completed in three years as stipulated by SFD.

They also discussed the issues being faced by their university. The university, they said, due to lack of space, is unable to launch new disciplines.

They added that students of the university are facing boarding problems as well since there are only two hostels in Muzaffarabad Campus – one for boys and the other for girls. Each hostel accommodates 100 students.

They urged the AJK government to play its role and allocate a “handsome amount” for University of AJK in the forthcoming budget.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2011.