ISLAMABAD – The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has beenalleged of manipulating the bidding process of Diamer-Bhasha dam in orderto award the contract to a local firm that does not hold the requiredexpertise and experience.
Chairman Wapda has also disclosed, in a TV interview, that the contractwill go to a local firm. In fact, a German Joint Venture (JV), whatqualifies for the contract, has been dropped for no explicit reasons.
The Wapda officials, who have been dealing with the matter, say thecontract is being awarded to a local firm because ‘it is easy to handle.’
Transparency International Pakistan has called on Chairman Wapda to lookinto the allegations. TIP urged the Chairman to take necessary actionagainst “all those officers involved in corrupt practices and direct thedepartment to follow the PPRA Rules, to avoid mis-procurement chargesagainst the Wapda,” if the allegations prove to be true.——————————
It is pertinent to mention here that the Wapda issued the Request ForProposals (RFPs) in November last year calling for the prequalified biddersto present technical and financial proposals to select the best form ofconsultants out of three competitors.