Rig for BAPEX, building 4,256 flats for officials get govt nod

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The government will buy a rig for BAPEX to enable the state-owned company to do hydrocarbon exploration on a larger scale on its own -- a longstanding suggestion by national energy experts and stakeholders, reports UNB.
Under another decision taken by the caretaker government, 4,256 flats will be constructed for government officials at Mohakhali and Mirpur in the capital city.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) Monday approved these two and six other proposals in a meeting presided over by Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the NEC auditorium.
A total expenditure of Tk 42.81 billion (4,281 crore) was estimated for the projects. Of the amount, Tk 2.44 billion (244 crore) will come from donor agencies as financial aid.
After the meeting, Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said that the apartments would be built by private developers through partnership.
The government would provide only the land for the project and the cost involvement would be Tk 33.24 billion (3,324 crore) for the housing scheme.
"We'll have no direct cash involvement in the flat construction project as we will provide the land," he told reporters at the NEC Building.
About the rig procurement, for which Tk 2.57 billion (257 crore) was allocated, he said this would enhance Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited's (BAPEX) capability in hydrocarbon exploration.
As per the approved projects, a National Revenue Building will be constructed at a cost of Tk 1.41 billion (141 crore) for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and a Bangladesh Embassy Building in Riyadh of Saudi Arabia at a cost of Tk 350 million (35 crore). The Saudi government will provide the land.
About Tk 1.55 billion (155 crore) will be spent on Promotion of Services and Opportunities to the Disabled Persons in Bangladesh project and another amount of Tk 890 million (89 crore) for Services for Children at Risk project.
Both the projects will be financed by donor agencies.
A 33-KV electric line installation project will be implemented under the Rural Electrification Board (REB) at a cost of Tk 2.40 billion (240 crore) while a project titled Strengthening of Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (Phase-III) will be implemented at a cost of Tk 400 million (40 crore).
This project was undertaken to improve the information and computer technology-related knowledge of government officials.
The ECNEC rejected a project for construction of Chief Judicial Magistrate buildings in every district headquarters on different grounds.