ISLAMABAD: The National Highways Authority (NHA) Executive Board has directed the authority to revisit the request for proposal (RfP) and consult the ADB Board for the award of works in local currency wherever possible as the country is facing scarcity of foreign exchange.
Official documents revealed that Captain Muhammad Khurram Agha (retired), chairman NHA presided over the Board meeting where the Member (I&M) observed that the country is facing scarcity of foreign exchange, therefore, the NHA may avoid signing contracts having foreign exchange component.
The chief National Transport Research Centre (NTRC) informed the board that there is precedent of payment of foreign exchange to contractors by the NHA in the past years. He suggested that the foreign exchange for the import of machinery may be released after getting verification from the FBR. The GM (P&CA) apprised that as per guidelines of the ADB, the NHA floated the RFPs, which has no bar on foreign component. The board directed that, in the current scenario, the NHA revisits the RFPs and consult the ADB for the award of works in local currency wherever possible.
The NHA Executive Board approved the award of works, OCB/CAREC/T-II: Construction of additional carriageway from Shikarpur to Rajanpur of N-55 (221.95 Kms), Lot-2: Kandhkot–Kashmore Section [km 105+820 to km 164+600 (58.78 kms)] be awarded to M/s China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation at the Lowest Evaluated Bid Price of Rs11.275 billion, which is 8.15 percent below Engineer’s Estimate based on CSR-2014 by including Foreign Currency requirement (15 percent) along with price adjustment on actual utilisation/expenditure against specific items subject to the approval of PC-I by including foreign currency requirements.
NHA completes 33 projects but at increased costs
The NHA Executive Board recommended the PC-I for Rehabilitation and Up-gradation of Pezu-Tank Road (Length: 38 km) at a cost of Rs4,139.12 million for approval of the CDWP.
The NHA Executive Board recommended revised PC-I for the construction of Kot Pindi Das Interchange on Motorway M-2 at a rationalised cost of Rs784.873 million for approval of the DDWP.
The NHA Executive Board empowered the already constituted RMA Committee to assess each project, which was under active procurement prior to July 7, 2022, indicated below individually on merit and take appropriate decisions including award of project: a. Dualization of Khuzdar-Kuchlack Section of National Highway (N-25) Section III and IV. b. Dualization of Kuchlack Zhob Section of N-50 Package I, II, and III. c. Construction of Additional Carriageway Petaro Sehwan N-55 Section-I (64 km) (Package IC) (km 40+000 to km 64+000). d. Construction of 2.25 km missing Link Road on Okara Side to connect Rai Mansab Ali Khan Kharal Bridge Approach Road with existing Provincial Highway Network. The board directed that the Chief (NTRC) will act as co-opted member in the constituted committee for above-mentioned projects.
The NHA Executive Board approved: a. Creation of 1,084 temporary/supernumerary posts, being the competent authority, for NHA Special Service Cadre (NSSC). b. Adjustment/regularisation of contract/daily wage employees of the NHA, cleared by the committee with effect from their earlier regularization order of 2011 and 2013 (as the case may be).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
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