PESHAWAR: The Inquiry Committee has completed report on investigations into alleged irregularities in tenders for construction of provincial and rural roads in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa worth Rs.1 billion under JICA Project.
According to an official handout issued here on Monday, the report has been sent to Chief Minister. The report said that the allegation was come into limelight through some contractors and its purpose was the creation of hurdle in this important project aimed at bringing improvement in the infrastructure of the province. Their purpose was the achievement of the interest of vested interest while the rules and procedure were completely followed in the tender inviting process.
It has a worth to mention here that Government Contactors Association have alleged irregularities in the tenders of development schemes. Taking notice of the matter, Secretary Community and Works (C&W) Engineer Zahid Arif constituted a two-member high-level investigation committee with immediate effect for conducting impartial probe and presentation of report within a period of two weeks.
The committee comprising of Managing Director, Pakhtun-khwa Highway Authority (PHA), Mohammad Ejaz Khan and Director Planning and Monitoring Engineer Shahid Hussein after though scrutiny of the tendering process and have found it transparent and have termed the allegations of irregularities as baseless.
The report said that pre-qualification letters were issued to 104 contractors, which was followed by inviting tenders by Director Project Management Unit, but none of the contractor participated in initial tender opening dates and appeared on alternative dates, but give a rateo pf 50 per above than the fixed rate, which were not acceptable in any circumstances and Project Management Unit have to cancelled them.
The projects were awarded to registered contractors of Pakistan Engineering Council under the procedure of post-qualification (to envelope). The adoption of the procedure also help saved an amount of Rs.270 million fo rhte government. However, thirteen contractors moved judiciary but due to transparency the judiciary turned down the case twice. Meanwhile, the Secretary Communication has sent the report to Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and has recommended taking of strict action against concerned officials.