ISLAMABAD - The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has been alleged of manipulating the bidding process of Diamer-Bhasha dam in order to award the contract to a local firm that does not hold the required expertise and experience.
Chairman Wapda has also disclosed, in a TV interview, that the contract will go to a local firm. In fact, a German Joint Venture (JV), what qualifies for the contract, has been dropped for no explicit reasons.
The Wapda officials, who have been dealing with the matter, say the contract is being awarded to a local firm because ‘it is easy to handle.’
Transparency International Pakistan has called on Chairman Wapda to look into the allegations. TIP urged the Chairman to take necessary action against “all those officers involved in corrupt practices and direct the department to follow the PPRA Rules, to avoid mis-procurement charges against the Wapda,” if the allegations prove to be true. ------------------------------
It is pertinent to mention here that the Wapda issued the Request For Proposals (RFPs) in November last year calling for the prequalified bidders to present technical and financial proposals to select the best form of consultants out of three competitors.