According to the Senator, he raised this issue with M/s China Ghezuba who was ready to negotiate, adding that the consortium can reduce project price by 15-20 per cent, financial impact of which would be not less than Rs 40-50 billion.
On this Chairman said that Wapda is negotiating price with the consortium but he did not share details with the committee. Chairman Wapda further stated that foreign companies have almost abandoned Pakistan and only a few Chinese companies participate in projects in Pakistan. He said, in Mohamand Dam thousands of Pakistani engineers will be trained. In its presentation, Wapda mentioned multiple directions of anti dam propaganda which include: (i) print electronic media; (ii) international consultants; (iii) social media; (iv) political twist; and (v) tarnish image/ credibility of Wapda.
According to the presentation, opening of price bid date was December 31, 2018 but price bid is under evaluation. Chairman Standing Committee asked the officials of Water Resources Ministry and Wapda to review their criterion for projects as local parties submit tailored-made/fake documents to get contracts.
He argued that a criterion should be developed in a way that similar parties with a higher bid than previously awarded to them can participate. Senator Ahmad Khan also supported this proposal. Garuk storage Dam Balochistan - Minister for Water Resources, Faisal Vawda opposed sending the case to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after one of the law makers accused the provincial government of awarding the contract to the same "party" which he had named two months ago.
He commented on this issue when matters relating to the contract of Mohamand Dam project and consortium of China Ghazub-Descon and Voith Hydro were under discussion. Senator Mir Yousaf Badini, who was against the award of contract of Garuk storage dam, (Balochistan), stated that M/s Descon was declared responsive in Mohamand Dam due to its cost and experience in such kinds of projects.
According to Senator Badini, he had mentioned the name of the company which got the contract through the middleman who came from Karachi more than two months prior to the contract being awarded.
Secretary Irrigation Balochistan M. Saleem Awan informed the committee that M/s Descon has the capacity to undertake such projects but its partner NLC did not meet the criteria. He argued that the contract was awarded transparently but the lawmakers were not ready to buy his arguments. The Chairman Standing Committee stated that a concerned Senator had already said that "so and so" company would be given the contract that proved correct.
Minister for Water Resources, Faisal Vawda who usually supports sending corruption cases to NAB, maintained that the case of Garuk storage dam should not be sent to NAB as it will delay the project. He suggested that the project should be re-tendered. A war of words was also seen between Senator Mir Yousaf Badini and Senator Dr. Jahanzeb Jamaldini on this issue. Later, Senator Bandini apologized to Senator Jamaldini.
The discussion on this issue was wrapped up after Senator Agha Shahzaib Khan Durrani informed the committee that the committee cannot give its recommendations as this issue is sub judice in the court. When the issue of Naulan Dam project ( Balochistan) came under discussion, Syed Mehar Ali Shah, Joint Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, informed the committee that Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to fund the project and Wapda has submitted PC-I to the Planning Commission for approval. The representative of Balochistan government said that Wapda gave the impression that ADB was not ready to fund the project if it is undertaken by the Balochistan government. However, when this issue was raised at a meeting in Economic Affairs Division (EAD) that it is not the mandate of ADB to give such comments, the representative of ADB denied having stated it. The revelations of Balochistan government's representative embarrassed the officials of Water Resources Ministry and Wapda, who preferred to remain silent.
On a question raised by Senator Sana Jamali, Mehar Ali Shah said that eight points have been identified to install telemetry system which would resolve water dispute between Balochistan and Sindh. Chairman Standing Committee issued notices to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry Planning, Development and Reforms for not sending their representatives to answer questions.
The meeting commenced with discussion on the Chiniot Dam. The Committee was informed that this was a multi-purpose dam that would have multifarious effects on flood mitigation, water storage, power generation, domestic water supply, ground water recharge. It will also positively impact tourism that will support socio-economic conditions of the area. The environmental effects and the likely impact of this dam were deliberated upon in great detail. The Committee was informed that various options have been weighed so that the people of that area may benefit the most.
Regarding the Mohmand Dam it was revealed that the bidding process was according to the rules. The Committee was briefed about the process and it was seen that there was no ambiguity in it. WAPDA assured the Committee that it is taking a keen interest in the project and that it is due to be completed in five years instead of five years and eight months quoted initially.
Deliberating over Naulong Dam, the Committee showed displeasure regarding delay in its work despite availability of funds. Chairman Committee, Senator Shamim Afridi while discussing issues of tendering and prequalification said that WAPDA must revisit prequalification criteria to accommodate local companies. He said it is a pity that despite having requisite machinery and know-how local companies are not considered.
The Committee recommended that the issue of Naulong Dam must be taken up exclusively in another meeting. Presided over by Senator Shammim Afridi, the meeting was attended by Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Agha Shahzaib Khan Durrani, Senator Ahmed Khan, Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Senator Mir Muhammad Yousuf Badini, Senator Walid Iqbal and senior officers of the Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Irrigation, Punjab. Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Faisal Vawda also attended the meeting. The issues that were taken up included the Chiniot Dam Project, the Mohmand Dam Project and status of PSDP Fund releases to Naulong Dam, Ichar Nullah Dam and Manchura Dam.
