QUETTA: A detailed special audit report has brought to light significant irregularities amounting to Rs2.4 billion and substantial delays plaguing the construction of 100 dams in Balochistan.
According to the report, only 26 out of the slated 100 dams were completed by the year 2021, a delay of several years from the original 2018 target. This delay in project completion has led to a ballooning of construction costs by Rs261 million, putting additional strain on the allocated budget.
Furthermore, the audit has identified that expenses associated with the project implementation unit and supervision have escalated by Rs133.6 million, attributing to the financial mismanagement within the project.
Moreover, discrepancies in financial transactions have been uncovered, including an overpayment of Rs112.6 million to non-shareholders, while contractors were found to have been charged Rs9.9 million less than their stipulated income tax obligations.
The audit has also shed light on unregulated expenditures totaling over Rs950 million for project completion, along with an additional Rs150 million designated for laboratory tests that were never carried out. Additionally, Rs131.8 million were allocated for soil extraction and rock blasting.
In response to these findings, the report strongly recommends taking decisive action against those found responsible for the misappropriation of funds, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the execution of such critical projects.
The identified irregularities and financial mismanagement within the construction of dams in Balochistan pose significant threats to the region’s development. Such practices not only squander vital resources but also undermine the intended purpose of infrastructure projects aimed at fostering economic growth and social development. The delays and inflated costs resulting from these irregularities hamper progress, hindering the region’s ability to address pressing needs such as water scarcity and agricultural development.
Moreover, the lack of accountability and transparency erodes public trust in governance and diminishes confidence in future investment opportunities. To realize the full potential of development initiatives in Balochistan and promote sustainable growth, it is imperative to address and rectify these detrimental practices promptly.
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