Mistakes in rehabilitation of 2005 quake should not be repeated

ISLAMABAD: Another massive earthquake hit northern Pakistan on Monday, which has refreshed the memories of 2005 quake but the mistakes in the aftermath of 2005 deadly quake also keep haunting the nation.
The mistakes done in rehabilitation of 2005 earthquake shall not be repeated again as previously, departments taking birth in wake of the earthquake had become symbols of misuse of aid-money.
As a result of massive destruction in Kashmir and Hazara Division on October 8, 2005 Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority was formed to rehabilitate the millions affected from the quake but later the same Erra which was meant to rehabilitate the quake-affected itself became a white elephant where corruption and mismanagement ruled the roost and in October 2014, the government had to write death for Erra.
Last year ERRA was ordered to complete all the projects that were 80% complete while it was barred from initiating any new project in the name of earthquake rehabilitation.
In the minutes of the meeting held to abolish Erra, it was mentioned that all the projects which were ongoing and were scheduled to be completed before December 2015 should continue to be undertaken by the Erra and will be fully funded while the residual portfolio of ongoing projects will be transferred to the respective governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jummu and Kashmir with funding commitment from the government of Pakistan.
The workforce of Erra may be adjusted in National Disaster Management Authority.Why did the government decide to burry Erra? The answers to this question should not only be made public but should also be kept in mind before initiating any rehabilitation activity for the affected of 2015 quake.
Of the many allegations on Erra, the work at snail’s pace, exorbitant cost of the work, keeping most of the projects incomplete, occupation of most of the posts by re-hired army officials, misuse of fuel and vehicles of projects etc were mostly highlighted by the media.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in 2012, was asked to take action against a veterinary doctor appointed by Erra as head of Project Evaluation Cell (PEC). Pooling of Erra officials with the contractors to escalate the cost of the development work was witnessed on many occasions and was also reported to the PM. Most of the procurement was done by Erra itself thus making it a lucrative organisation. Many procurements were done before approval of PC-1.
To lay one brick, there six departments were established like Erra, Perra, Drus, Reconstruction Wing, M&E wing, PCU, Picu and consultants thus the operational cost was far more than the development cost of one brick.PC-I of almost all projects were repeatedly revised which in most cases reached 200% above the originally approved PC-I cost.
One official simultaneously held charge of Deputy Director Mansehra and Chief Engineer Reconstruction at the birth of reconstruction wing and then also charge of Chief Engineer of ADB projects. How an EDO and then Chief Engineer can works as Deputy Director Mansehra at same time? This was also reported to the PM.
A detail discussion was held covering all legal, financial and physical aspects regarding winding up of Erra last year. During the deliberations the Chief Secretary Jummu & Kashmir stated that although the Erra had performed well in the initial stage, but for the last couple of years no significant progress has been noticed and the government of AJ&K is not satisfied with the quality, rates of construction and progress of the projects especially in case of Education Sector. He suggested that after clearing the liabilities of all contractors the projects should be handed over to the government of AJK along with funds to complete the projects at the earliest through its line departments.