Senate body seeks report on all NHA projects

The Senate Standing Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications on Wednesday expressed its displeasure over the tender process in the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) contracts, seeking a report on all projects within three days.

The meeting chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro reviewed the projects, including the Larkana-Khairpur Bridge and Ring Road.

The convener said that a sub-par report would not be accepted. The NHA assured to submit a report on all projects within three days.

The convener said that they would not allow a monopoly of any single company in one area, adding that no institution of Pakistan could stand in front of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and the National Logistics Cell (NLC).

“The NLC and FWO are awarded contracts without tenders; one company is rejected, and the other is approved,” he said, adding that the reasons for failure in the PC-1 were not given.

“There was no fair tender in this project; I will prove it,” he added.

The NHA officials informed the meeting that the FWO was rejected when its director general failed to sign the contract, adding that the paperwork should be completed to participate in the bid, while any company could approach the Grievance Committee.

“Do not tell us the story. Write the reason why the companies were rejected. The NHA is getting rid of this case … the chairman should appear himself,” the convener said.

The convener added that a claim of Rs10 billion was given in the floods of 2010, questioning why no objection was raised when there was a difference in the consultant’s estimate.

“I am from Larkana, there was no flood in 2010,” Abro said. “The contractor did not do any work before the flood; we will get this project tested again. You give me your report, I will give you my report. I will not follow what the NHA says.” He said he could not blindly believe in anything.