Re: The Ultimate Losers in Pakistan!
Law and order in Fata escalated cost of NHA projects
By Rauf Klasra
Rising militancy and worsening law and order in tribal areas has led National Highway Authority (NHA) to pay an additional sum of Rs 1 billion to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to complete a multi-billion rupees road project in Fata, revealed official papers of ministry of communication to be laid down before the Senate committee on communication today (Monday). The documents show that the FWO has stated the law and order situation, problems in acquisition of land, and floods as justification to demand Rs 1 billion in addition to the already agreed cost of the project. As per agreement NHA was to give Rs 1.3 billion for the completion of the road project. But, now total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 2.3 billion, thus one billion of rupees would be additionally charged by the FWO. The official papers said that the situation is so alarming in the tribal areas that both NHA and FWO were facing problem in land acquisition. Senator Kamil Ali Agha will preside over the meeting that would discuss a long agenda item pertaining to the performance of the NHA in different parts of the country.
Earlier, the NHA was asked to give details about its road projects, reasons behind delay in the execution of projects, shooting up of the total cost, agreement between the Daewoo and NHA, progress made regarding misspelled signboards on the highways, details of contracts awarded to different parties to construct roads, levy of toll on official vehicles with green number plates, details of installation of toll plazas on the national highways, details of plots and sites leased out on national highways and motorways for filling stations. Chairman NHA Major General Farrukh has been directed to appear before the members of the committee to explain the reasons behind many delays in the execution of development work on many important roads.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2005-daily/08-08-2005/main/main11.htm