Reema Shaukat
It is so unfortunate that if any developmental project is started in Pakistan, it has to go through many impedimentsbefore its finishing point. These hurdles can be in form of monetary funds, infrastructure provision, human resource and other necessary ground work. Another dilemma which has penetrated in our society is the issue of corruption in such mega projects where negative minded and deviousindividuals create loopholes for their fraudulent drives. The venomous lust for money, corruption and fraud is making our downfall quicker as a nation and such corrupt elements in our society must be exposed in order to have corruption free Pakistan.
Recently a mega corruption case is revealed in one of hydro power projects. Already managing the water and power generation issues, contours of bribery and venality in these kinds of projects badly effect the economic growth of country. Mega corruption in Golen Gol Hydro Power Project Chitral (GGHP)has freshly come up among other cases of corruption, thus raising another serious concern about the loyalties of management and authorities.Golen Gol Hydropower Plant (GGHP) is an under construction hydroelectric generation project located on Golen Gol River, a major left tributary of Mastuj Riverin Chitral District of KPK, located about 25 kilometres from Chitral city. Golen Gol Hydropower Project is ataskwhich is designedas the run of the river projectand expected togenerate 108 MW electricity. Golen Gol Hydropower Project is a part of least-cost energy generation plan, being executed by WAPDA to harness the indigenous hydropower resources of the country. The project was started in 2011 and was supposed to be completed on 31 January 2015 but unfortunatelydue to corrupt and unqualified staff the project cost increased from Rupees 7.035 billion to 28 billion and its completion has delayed till May 2018 and it is anticipated that despite increased expenditures this project may not be completed in this revised cost and time frame.The estimated time frame for construction of power house and tunnel was January, 2015 and regardless of being one and half year delay only 49% work is done on these. Similarly just 14% work is done on transmission lines which was due to be functional in first quarter of this year 2016. It is also learned from sources that the transmission lines have not been properly designed as per international standard and the below average design has caused a delay and strange increase in cost by 38%.The contract for these transmission lines was given to one of ex employ of WAPDA who now owns a company NETRACON. The consultant for this project is fromcompany named FICHTNER who is holding a position of Project Manager Consultantand is paid heavily for his job,has proved himself totally unskilled with little qualifications.Haplessly, the contractors are delaying projects intentionally and claiming this delay as Extension of Time (EOT) with the help of consultant and demanding more money rather than paying fine. The nuisance of corruption, unqualified staff and contractors are causing loss of rupees 20 million per day to government in this project. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his last visit to Chitral gave clear instructions to WAPDA authorities to complete the project by October 2017 but this all seems mere dream like other hydropower projects of a country and WAPDA despite knowing faults and flaws in its construction design is totally silent and carefree.
There is a dire need to understand how beneficial these energy projects are for the progress of country. There should be no doubt about the importance of water and its requirement for the hydropower projects on which not only individuals but industries are dependent too. The wheel of economy is mainlyreliant on such ventures and any discrepancy gives a major jolt to economy. To deal with energy crisis one cannot negate the importance and need for construction of dams for country and if corruption continues to sow its seed in every nook, then we will not able to become a prosperous nation.Pakistan relies on its dams and barrages to prevent rivers from flooding and help meet its power needs but if work on construction of dams, barrages and energy generation work is hampered then it is very difficult to meet energy crisis of the country. For GGHP which is reflected as an environment friendly hydropower project, it is expected that this project will help reduce dependence on expensive thermal power, thereby saving foreign exchange amounting to $34 million per annum to the country but keeping in view the speed and efficiency of work and labour it is now feared that again all the investment on this project will turn into waste if any notice of corruption and inefficient management, is not taken timely. Apart from making public awareness campaign and message, government and sincere officials must take action and highlight such corrupt individuals who are relishing on the money of Pakistanis and enjoying their lives while keeping rest of public in darkness.
