ECNEC okays 9 projects worth Tk 8874.16cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved nine development projects at a cost of Tk 8874.16 crore including Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation (WSIS) project.

The approval came at the ECNEC meeting with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC conference room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. 
Briefing the reporters after the meeting Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told the reporters that ECNEC approved a total of nine projects involving Tk 8874.16 crore. Out of the total cost, Tk 7329.16 crore will come from the government exchequer, Tk 50.01 crore from implanting agencies’ own fund and rest Tk 1494.91 crore from project assistance. 
According to project summary, the estimated cost of the Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation (WSIS) project under the Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has increased by Tk 812.37 crore or 73.33 per cent due to the delay in its implementation. 
Project cost currently stands at Tk 1,890.83 crore while the earlier estimate was Tk 1,078.46 crore. The Chittagong WASA has demanded an additional Tk 812.37 crore, citing an increase in the costs of transmission and supply.
Planning minister said the project was undertaken in 2011. It promises to increase access to safe water, improve sanitation, support the establishment of long-term water supply, and develop sanitation and drainage infrastructure and an operational management program in Chittagong.
The World Bank had provided a support of Tk 972 crore for the project. But it withdrew funds of USD 8.5 million (around Tk. 68 crore) following the delay in implementation.
According to the detailed project plan (DPP), the project was scheduled to be completed by December 2015. 
But the local government ministry urged the Planning Commission to extend its duration to December 2016 without increasing the cost.
Planning minister said, it will support the construction of water treatment plants in the Chittagong WASA development plan that are currently not financed or were earmarked for financing by other financiers.
Mustafa Kamal also said that the Chittagong WASA would be able to supply 9 crore litres of drinking water every day after the project is implemented.
The other approved projects are ‘Development of important rural infrastructure in Bhola district’ involving Tk 454.62 crore; ‘re-dredging of 83 cannels and river in Bagerhat district and increase navigability of Mongla-Goshikhali Channel’ at a cost of Tk 706.40 crore; ‘Increase crops production through mechanizing the firms (second phase) at cost of Tk 339.44 crore; ‘Strengthening research activities of Bangla-desh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and improvement of its sub station at cost of Tk 160.56 crore; ‘improvement of  power transmission system in three hill districts’ at cost of Tk 565.68 crore;  construction of Information Bhaban’ at cost of Tk 95.85 crore; development of road and drainage system of newly included areas –Shyampur, Donia, Matuail and Sarulia with Dhaka South City Corporation at cost of Tk 734.02 crore; and construction of important bridges of rural roads at cost of Tk 3926.76 crore.
Ministers, advisers to Prime Minister, state ministers and senior government officials were present in the meeting.

ECNEC okays 9 projects worth Tk 8874.16cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved ninedevelopment projects at a cost of Tk 8874.16 crore including Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation (WSIS) project. The approval came at the ECNEC meeting with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC conference room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. Briefing the reporters after the meeting Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told the reporters that ECNEC approved a total of nine projects involving Tk 8874.16 crore. Out of the total cost, Tk 7329.16 crore will come from the government exchequer, Tk 50.01 crore from implanting agencies own fund and rest Tk 1494.91 crore from project assistance. According to project summary, the estimated cost of the Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation (WSIS) project under the Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has increased byTk 812.37 crore or 73.33 per cent due to the delay in its implementation. Project cost currently stands at Tk 1,890.83 crore while the earlier estimate was Tk 1,078.46 crore. The Chittagong WASA has demanded an additionalTk 812.37 crore, citing an increase in the costs oftransmission and supply. Planning minister said the project was undertaken in 2011. It promises to increase access to safe water, improve sanitation, support the establishment of long-term water supply, and develop sanitation and drainage infrastructure and an operational management program in Chittagong. The World Bank had provided a support of Tk 972 crore for the project. But it withdrew funds of USD 8.5 million (around Tk. 68 crore) following the delay in implementation. According to the detailed project plan (DPP), the project was scheduled to be completed by December 2015. But the local government ministry urged the Planning Commission to extend its duration to December 2016 without increasing the cost. Planning minister said, it will support the construction of water treatment plants in the Chittagong WASA development plan that are currently not financed or were earmarked for financing by other financiers. Mustafa Kamal also said that the Chittagong WASA would be able to supply 9 crore litres of drinking water every day after the project is implemented. The other approved projects are Development of important rural infrastructure in Bhola district involving Tk 454.62 crore; re-dredging of 83 cannels and river in Bagerhat district and increase navigability of Mongla-Goshikhali Channel at a cost of Tk 706.40 crore; Increase crops production through mechanizing the firms (second phase) at cost ofTk 339.44 crore; Strengthening research activities of Bangla-desh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and improvement of its sub station at cost of Tk 160.56 crore; improvement of power transmission system in three hill districts at cost of Tk 565.68 crore; construction of Information Bhaban at cost of Tk 95.85 crore; development of road and drainage systemof newly included areas Shyampur, Donia, Matuail and Sarulia with Dhaka South City Corporation at cost of Tk 734.02 crore; and construction of important bridges of rural roads at cost of Tk 3926.76 crore. Ministers, advisers toPrime Minister, state ministers and senior governmentofficials were present inthe meeting.