Lack of good governance undermines efficacy of dev projects: CPD

The absence of good governance in public infrastructure project implementation undermines the efficacy of such projects, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said on Wednesday.

Lack of governance also negatively impacts potential results and returns on investment, the think tank said during a dialogue titled, “Implementation of Public Infrastructure Projects (PIPs) in Bangladesh: Ensuring Good Value for Money”- organised jointly by CPD and The Asia Foundation in Dhaka.

CPD also suggested that to ensure good value for money by implementing development projects, the government should put into place a development framework like the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

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Speakers at the dialogue also pointed out the need to create a new cadre of government jobs to mitigate the project directors (PD) demand. 

The land accusation is a big problem in the primary stages of project implementation, speakers stated. Dedicated government legal officers are needed to solve the problem.

The speakers suggested that, for ensuring good value for money, government projects need to be completed timely, maintain quality at affordable prices, and ensure maximum economic and social returns to ensure inclusive development. 

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The government needs to strengthen the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), and the divisional office of IMED or ministry-wise IMED sections need to be established for the decentralisation of the department, the speakers further added.