PM removes MD Nandipur project, orders to make plant operational within 15 days

The premier wants the project to generate 497MW of energy at the earliest, sources say

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif removed on Wednesday Managing Director Nandipur Power Project Mohammad Mehmood from his post.

During a meeting of Cabinet's committee on energy, the premier ordered the Ministry of Water and Power to take control of the project, and make it operational within the next 15 days.

According to sources, the prime minister wants the project to generate 497MW of energy at the earliest.

During the meeting, which was attended by all officials concerned,  it was revealed that the government had so far released Rs49.5 billion of the Rs57 billion project so far.

Read: Opposition wants NAB to probe Nandipur project

Meanwhile, PM Nawaz also gave clear directions to Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Petroleum to take into confidence the people about the LNG project. He directed the ministries to hold seminars and workshops to make the masses aware of projects.

The Nandipur Power Project was inaugurated in Gujranwala in May 2014 but owing to a number of hurdles the project could not be completed.

Last month as controversy over the project intensified, the government found a way out and decided to outsource operations of the plant to the Chinese engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, Dongfang Electric Corporation, for a period of six months.

“It has been decided to give the operation and maintenance contract to Chinese EPC contractor Dongfang as an interim arrangement before the award of international competitive bids,” a senior government official had said while talking to The Express Tribune.