SFD notices slow moving quake-hit areas projects
ISLAMABAD—The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has taken serious notice of slow moving projects in 2005 earthquake hit areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During visit of SFD to oversee progress of Saudi funded projects, the SFD delegation directed the contractors to speed up the work.
After the devastating earthquake of 2005 in AJK and KP, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia funded 30 major projects in earthquake affected areas of AJK and KP. These projects were started in 2009 and were planned to complete within two years. The non performing contracts were given a deadline of three months to significantly enhance the progress.
In a recent Project Monitoring Review Committee meeting held at KSA, SFD Authorities expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over dismal progress of major projects. They further took note of the violation of SFD guidelines by certain contractors and asked for its compliance being the donor of the funds.
They further asked ERRA Authorities to terminate the contracts of the non performing contractors at King Abdullah University AJK, District Complex Rawalakot, District Complex Bagh, and King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra. It is important to highlight that earlier in 2014 SFD Authorities had asked to terminate the contract of a local Consultant of these projects as well to infuse much needed impetus to the progress.
SFD earlier in January 2016, employed an International Consultant to oversee the said projects as it was observed that these projects did not fulfill the standards of construction and their retarded progress could not alleviate suffering of people.—APP