Ijaz Kakakhel
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Monday was informed that continuing works on all Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA)’s schemes impossible due to unprecedented rise in construction materials.
The prices of construction materials were too much lower when projects of FGEHA’s initiated but the recent hike in prices of cement, iron, labor charges, and other related works/materials made it impossible to complete the works in time with the same cost. Therefore, it was imperative to increase the cost of these projects and the impact must be passed on to the concern people.
It was revealed that the price adjustment included in the contract in line with Pakistan Engineering Council standard price adjustment guidelines did not cover the current hyper escalation of construction goods. The Committee was informed that the Ministry was doing all in its power to come to an amicable solution and has forwarded a summary of the issues to ECC for approval of recommendations.
In addition to the above it was asserted that another hurdle that has played an important role in stalling projects pertains to land acquisition issues. Members took strong notice of phenomenally slow progress and stressed the need for rate analysis. The Committee emphasized that curbing work was illegal and the Ministry must deal with this issue accordingly. Directions were given to submit rate analysis details of all projects to the Committee. The need to set a limit for bids was asserted. A sub-Committee was formed to review the matter in detail and submit details in the main committee.
These views were discussed in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works, which was held today the Parliament Lodges. The meeting was chaired by Senator Haji Hidayatullah and was attended by Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Prince Ahmed Omer Ahmedzai, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, Senator Muhammad Qasim, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan and senior officers of the Ministry of Housing and Works along with its attached departments and agencies. Matters discussed included; details of ongoing projects and reasons for delays, details of Pak PWD funds utilized for Malakand Division for the past 15 years and briefing project at Mauza Tamma and Morian particularly with regards to the murder of the landowner.
Discussing details of Pak PWD funds utilized for Malakand Division in the past 15 years the Committee showed concern regarding documentation and directed the Ministry to provide details related to the whole province in the next meeting. Regarding the Housing Project at Mauza Tamma and Morian, the matter was taken up by the Committee to ensure that the aggrieved are compensated. It was asserted that numerous measures have been taken by the FGEHA in this regard.
