Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that in most of the cases, development projects were implemented at much higher cost during the previous government.
He made the remarks while a delegation of the UNDP, led by its Resident Representative, Stefan Liller met him at his office at the Power and Energy Ministry.
Citing an example of a recently visited power project, he said, it was set up in Khulna at a cost of Tk 9000 crore without making arrangement for its primary fuel supply.
The Padma rail link project has been implemented at a cost of Tk 39,000 crore showing an estimated monthly income of Tk 1400 crore from Dhaka -Bhanga part, he noted.
But in last six months, only Tk 37 crores were earned from that part, he said adding that such a dire situation would not have happened if these projects were taken after proper feasibility study and assessing real needs.
During the meeting, Fouzul Kabir, also the adviser for the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and Ministry Railway, sought the cooperation of UNDP in the development of the country's energy sector.
He said that unplanned development projects have been taken up and implemented in all sectors in the country during the previous government.
He also said that the present government will be careful in taking up projects. Projects will be selected on the basis of people's expectations, needs, that can be economically profitable.
He said G2G system will be given priority in government procurement process. Transparency will be ensured in government procurement through competitive process through open tender.
He pointed out that care should be taken to ensure that the project works are completed on time, as the cost of the project increases in the long run.
The UNDP delegation expressed interest in providing support to the development of the country's energy, power, communication and rail networks, especially in increasing the use of renewable energy.
They promised to provide financial and technical support to increase the use of solar energy, electricity generation from waste and other renewable energy sources.
In addition, they promised to release of the previously promised financial grant of about $6 million as soon as possible.
During the meeting, Road Transport and Highways Department Senior Secretary Md. Ehsanul Haque, Electricity Division Senior Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman and Railway Ministry Secretary Abdul Baki were present.
