IMPLEMENTATION OF DMCH MODERNISATION PROJECT

IMED finds irregularities

“There was a clear lack of transparency in the procurement process”

Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), the government watchdog for public fund utilisation, found irregularities in implementation of the “Expansion and Modernisation of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH)” project. The IMED said there was a clear lack of transparency in procurement activities for the project and recommended the health ministry to examine the issue. The IMED also said that it should be notified about the ministry steps into the matter.
The IMED steps came to light recently after it revealed an evaluation report of the DMCH project. Despite the project was completed in March 2014, the project director concerned is yet to refund an unspent fund worth Tk 4.65 crore to the government exchequer. As per the report, the project director did not install solar system, rainwater harvesting facilities, and two 52HP submersible pump motors although Tk 2.07 crore was allocated for doing so as per the project plan. On the other hand, the IMED revealed that the implementing agency could utilise Tk 100.46 crore against an estimated cost of Tk 106.92 crore for the project. The evaluation report said the public works department (PWD) spent Tk 1.37 crore higher than the estimated cost of Tk 69.69 crore for the construction of a 10 storey building for the DMCH under the project. Besides, the PWD spent Tk 72 lakh through an LTM agreement without proper authority.
The government undertook the project in 2008 to expand basic health care facilities to the common people at the DMCH. Although the project was supposed to be completed in 2011 (first phase, the government extended it until December 2013. The IMED found that the implementing agency spent money more than the allocated fund for the project including the construction of a link road between the main hospital and the new building, renovation work of a mosque, construction of an internal road, construction of surface drainage system, supply of furniture, underground water reservoir. Talking to The Independent, IMED Secretary Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury said they have sent notices to the ministries concerned for necessary action. “We will prepare a digital project completion report which will be updated on relevant websites so that we can timely remind the ministry concerned,” he added.
Project Director Byezid Khorshed did not receive calls when The Independent tried his mobile phone for comments over the issue. This correspondent even sent him an SMS requesting response over the issue, but he did not respond to that attempt as well.

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF DMCH MODERNISATION PROJECT

IMED finds irregularities

“There was a clear lack of transparency in the procurement process”

Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), the government watchdog for public fund utilisation, found irregularities in implementation of the Expansion and Modernisation of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) project. The IMED said there was a clear lack of transparency in procurement activities for the project and recommended the health ministry to examine the issue. The IMED also said that it should be notified about the ministry steps into the matter. The IMED steps came to light recently after it revealed an evaluation report of the DMCH project. Despite the project was completed in March 2014, the project director concerned is yet to refund an unspent fund worth Tk 4.65 crore to the government exchequer. As per the report, the project director did not install solar system, rainwater harvesting facilities, and two 52HP submersible pump motors although Tk 2.07 crore was allocated for doing so as per the project plan. On the other hand, the IMED revealed that the implementing agency could utilise Tk 100.46 crore against an estimated cost of Tk 106.92 crore for the project. The evaluation report said the public works department (PWD) spent Tk 1.37 crore higher than the estimated cost of Tk 69.69 crore for the construction of a 10 storey building for the DMCH under the project. Besides, the PWD spent Tk 72 lakh through an LTM agreement without proper authority. The government undertook the project in 2008 to expand basic health care facilities to the common people at the DMCH. Although the project was supposed to be completed in 2011 (first phase, the government extended it until December 2013. The IMED found that the implementing agency spent money more than the allocated fund for the project including the construction of a link road between the main hospital and the new building, renovation work of a mosque, construction of an internal road, construction of surface drainage system, supply of furniture, underground water reservoir. Talking to The Independent, IMED Secretary Farid Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury said they have sent notices to the ministries concerned for necessary action. We will prepare a digital project completion report which will be updated on relevant websites so that we can timely remind the ministry concerned, he added. Project Director Byezid Khorshed did not receive calls when The Independent tried his mobile phone for comments over the issue. This correspondent even sent him an SMS requesting response over the issue, but he did not respond to that attempt as well.