Long-unattended projects will be terminated: Minister Ghising

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: The contracts for unattended development projects under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Urban Development, which have been left idle for a long time, are to be terminated.

Minister for the three ministries, Kul Man Ghising, has directed their secretaries and department heads to immediately prepare and submit a list of such projects.

"On the one hand, the country is suffering huge economic losses due to the failure to complete the construction of large infrastructure projects within the stipulated time, while on the other hand, there is an ironic situation where citizens are being deprived of the benefits of such projects," he said.

"Now, projects will no longer be left idle by merely looking at the faces of non-performing contractors. Identify and evaluate such projects and submit a list immediately," Minister Ghising said while giving instructions. "Work cannot be done without a decision, so we will work after making a decision. We should scrap the contracts of long-unattended projects and go for a new contract process. Projects cannot be left idle."

The Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multipurpose Project of national pride, more than three road projects, and more than 100 bridge construction projects under physical infrastructure remain idle.

'Let's complete the Parliament building by mid-December at any cost'

Minister Ghising said that the Federal Parliament building, under construction in the Singha Durbar premises, should be completed by mid-December at any cost. 

On Thursday, Minister Ghising held discussions with Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development, Gopal Sigdel, project consultants from the Special Building Construction Project Coordination Office, and construction entrepreneurs about the construction of the building and directed them to complete the remaining work so that the construction could be completed by mid-December. 

"After the severe damage to the Parliament building in Baneshwor during the Gen Z movement, the Parliament building is no more. Therefore, the construction of the Parliament building is a sensitive project. It should not be delayed for any reason. All parties should be serious and fully mobilised to complete it ahead of schedule."

A contract agreement was signed in October 2019 to complete the construction of the Parliament building within three years. The contract agreement, which has been extended for the fifth time, is expiring next December. The physical progress of the project is 86 per cent.

Additional trusses for false ceilings in the National and House of Representatives halls and additional trusses for false ceilings in the multipurpose hall on the first floor of both buildings, electrical work, including main LT panels, sub LT panels, mains, electrical firefighting, HVAC testing, and operation are still pending.

Immediate action if irregularities are found

Minister Ghising has directed the authorities to stop irregularities in the bodies under his office. He warned that immediate action would be taken against those found involved in irregularities. 

"In the past, there have been allegations that the budget was formulated by taking kickbacks. The main agenda of the Gen Z movement was corruption control. If corruption cannot be controlled, there will be great disappointment. Identify the loopholes where irregularities occur and close them. If even a single rupee is found to have been irregular, those involved will not be spared," he said.

 He also directed them to improve service delivery.