Red tape: Awaiting CDA nod, equipment worth Rs7 million rusting away
Civic agency says instruments were not provided within the stipulated timeframe.
ISLAMABAD:
The equipment imported to improve security at Faisal Mosque has not been installed despite the passage of three-and-a-half months, and it seems that Rs7 million spent are now going down the drain.
In March 2011, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sent a proposal to Finance Ministry which included the installation of a new Rs7.1 million security system for Faisal Mosque. The Planning Commission released the amount in March 2012 under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), said an official.
A private firm, hired as a contractor, was given the same amount in June to complete the job. The contractor then procured six walkthrough gates, scanners and security cameras in July, with the installation due to be completed in one month.
The contractor imported the security machinery from the US and informed the CDA about the arrival of the instruments in July. However, the CDA did not get the equipment installed despite repeated reminders from the contractor.
CDA Spokesperson Ramzan Sajid told The Express Tribune that “the contractor provided the equipment, but not within the proposed time stated in the conditions of tender, and the budget expired because it wasn’t utilised in time.”
When asked if the CDA would pay for the equipment acquired by the contractor “after the due date”, Sajid said the issue will be discussed in the next board meeting and there is a chance that the contract will be extended, with the government paying for the equipment. He said CDA has sent a proposal for reissuance of funds in this regard and after a nod from them, they will move forward.
Hundreds of people visit Faisal Mosque every day and there is no formalised way to check visitors for contraband.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2012.
The equipment imported to improve security at Faisal Mosque has not been installed despite the passage of three-and-a-half months, and it seems that Rs7 million spent are now going down the drain.
In March 2011, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sent a proposal to Finance Ministry which included the installation of a new Rs7.1 million security system for Faisal Mosque. The Planning Commission released the amount in March 2012 under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), said an official.
A private firm, hired as a contractor, was given the same amount in June to complete the job. The contractor then procured six walkthrough gates, scanners and security cameras in July, with the installation due to be completed in one month.
The contractor imported the security machinery from the US and informed the CDA about the arrival of the instruments in July. However, the CDA did not get the equipment installed despite repeated reminders from the contractor.
CDA Spokesperson Ramzan Sajid told The Express Tribune that “the contractor provided the equipment, but not within the proposed time stated in the conditions of tender, and the budget expired because it wasn’t utilised in time.”
When asked if the CDA would pay for the equipment acquired by the contractor “after the due date”, Sajid said the issue will be discussed in the next board meeting and there is a chance that the contract will be extended, with the government paying for the equipment. He said CDA has sent a proposal for reissuance of funds in this regard and after a nod from them, they will move forward.
Hundreds of people visit Faisal Mosque every day and there is no formalised way to check visitors for contraband.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2012.