WAPDA is all set to award contract for the fifth extension of Tarbela Dam’s hydropower project against PPRA rules and without approval of PC 1. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is all set to award contract for the fifth extension of Tarbela Dam’s hydropower project against Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and without approval of PC 1, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The project for tunnel-5 was not approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), a senior functionary of Wapda confirmed.
According to a briefing paper for Tarbela 5th Extension Project available with The Express Tribune the initial estimate of Rs55.6 billion is based on the evaluations conducted for the Tarbela 4th extension project.
In this regard official correspondence has been started bypassing the prescribed rules and regulations.
Wapda Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah through a letter has contacted an Austrian company Andritz Hydro GmbH’s representative Thilo Pohlmann, areas sales manager of Large Hydro.
The letter, available with The Express Tribune, states: “reference to your meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan and follow up meeting with secretary water and power on the subject issue. You are well aware that presently Wapda with the financing support of World Bank is constructing civil works and allied electrical and mechanical (E&M) works of Tunnel 4 of Tarbela for the installed capacity of 1.410 Mega Watt (MW) project. Since it is planned by Wapda that similar potential could be explored from Tunnel 5 of Tarbela Dam, therefore, the consultants MM Pakistan are asked in addition to their consultancy assignments for Tarbela 4th Extension to study the possibilities of installation the similar infrastructure on Tunnel 5.
“Since MM Pakistan Consultants may take some time and you intend to save time, you are, therefore, advised to please have a study at your own at the earliest to formalise this component of the project to be constructed at the earliest accordingly.”
According to prescribed rules and regulations as well as various rulings of the superior courts contract for a public sector project could not be awarded without open bidding process.
WAPDA’s Version
Project Director Tarbela extension project Muhammad Yousaf Khattak, while talking to The Express Tribune admitted that feasibility study report of the project has not been prepared and approved by the authorities concerned as yet. On a question he said that the PC-1 of this project has also not been approved. He added that neither CDWP nor ECNEC approved this project.
When The Express Tribune contacted the director public relations of Wapda for official version on the story, he did not offer any comment. A visit to the Wapda House proved futile as was the questionnaire sent to the PR chief.
“He did not offer any comment,” director public relations said on behalf of Wapda chairman in reply to the questions sent by The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (4)
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How about those who have been dreaming about ending corruption with the departure of Zardari? Now there is no corruption in Pakistan and everybody is honest with the arrival of TTP supported rightwing parties.
The house next to Jamaat Ali Shah is inhabited by Gen(R) Kiyani's sister. Is that the one commanding $ 1.7 million?
good lead ET,
..make sure you follow-up on that cuz it tends to morphed into another "Nandi-pur" type thing.
regards,
"the initial estimate of Rs55.6 billion is based on the evaluations conducted for the Tarbela 4th extension project."
At current going rate of 20-30% "commission," someone and his next few generations are set for comfortable and cushy life in Toronto's "Begum Para." House next to Jama'at Ali Shah is currently on market for a paltry sum of $1,750,000 Canadian $s. Or may be they will fancy an open and airy flat in Kensington, or they may want to wait for a new listing coming up shortly at Edgware Road, London! Who knows!!