Bridges Division one of worst ADP implementers

The Bridges Division is on the list of the worst performers among the big ministries implementing development projects, as execution of its key Padma Bridge project has faced setback, officials said on Wednesday.

The Division spent only Tk 5.67 billion during July-November period of this financial year (FY), 2017-18, according to data of Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED). The amount is 7.13 per cent of its total Tk 79.54 billion allocation in the annual development budget.

The spending on the Tk 287.93-billion Padma Bridge project has been affected due to some emerging flaws in its design, as pilling work at some 22 piers has now become very complicated.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has almost suspended its pilling work because of the emerging complexities in the 6.15-km Padma Bridge construction work.

BBA officials said they could spend only Tk 3.42 billion in the first five months of the current FY, which is 6.19 per cent of the total Tk 55.24 billion allocation made this year for Padma Bridge construction.

Meanwhile, the government has already released Tk 13.78 billion funds for the BBA until November last to finance construction work. An IMED official said the poor project execution by the Bridges Division, the sixth largest recipient of development expenditure --- Tk 1.64-trillion could also affect the overall project execution in FY 2018.

"The Padma Bridge is one of the mega projects of the government. If the project is affected, the overall development budget expenditure will fall," he said.

The Bridges Division is implementing only three projects, of which the Padma Bridge construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2018.

Meanwhile, the government ministries and agencies spent Tk 329.97 billion, 20 per cent of the total ADP outlay, in July-November period of the current FY, IMED data showed.

In the corresponding period of last FY, they spent Tk 235.94 billion or 19 per cent of Tk 1.23-trillion ADP outlay.

Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Water Resources, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division are also on the list of the worst performers among the top 15 development budget holders for their poor rate of development budget execution.

Ministry of Science and Technology spent 5.02 per cent of the allocation, Ministry of Railways 9.63 per cent, Ministry of Water Resources 10 per cent, Energy and Mineral Resources Division 9.15 per cent, and ICT division 12.54 per cent during July-November period of this fiscal.

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