Faulty DPP, lengthy procurement delay project implementation

Syful Islam | Published: July 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has found that lengthy process of approval of development project proposal (DPP), its low quality and prolonged procurement procedure are delaying implementation of projects in Bangladesh, sources said.
To reduce the procedural delays in project implementation, the ADB has decided to provide increased support to the Planning Commission and the Economic Relations Division (ERD), they added.
Officials said the ADB has found some common issues that delay project implementation from the very initial stage.
It found that lengthy process of approval of DPP caused significant start-up delays as it affected mobilisation of counterpart staff and advance procurement.
It also noticed that the quality of approved DPP was often very low. This leads to preparation of revised DPP during implementation stage, causing delay. The ADB has decided to provide increased support in preparing high-quality DPP at the project preparation stage, they added.
During the last tripartite portfolio review meeting (TPRM), the ADB also found that lengthy procurement and recruitment process also delayed project implementation in Bangladesh.
The ADB decided to provide more support to capacity building, including on-the-job training to concerned officials. It will work to reduce procurement time by 50 per cent within March, 2016.
It also noticed that project readiness in Bangladesh remained low in many cases. The ADB emphasised the need for adopting the practice of full preparation of projects including detailed design, safeguards documents, and bidding documents before project approvals and recruitment of project implementation consultants.
The ADB also found that lengthy procedure in land acquisition and resettlement also seriously delayed implementation of various projects.
It underscored the revision of the Acquisition of Immovable Property Ordinance with flexible and realistic compensation package and approval of the national involuntary resettlement policy whose draft is lying with the Ministry of Law for long.Â Â Officials said another problem which the ADB noticed is frequent change of project directors and supporting staffs which also delays project implementation.
They said for signing new loan agreements with Bangladesh in future, the ADB has sought assurance from the government of not transferring project directors and other key staff during project implementation, at least not earlier than three years.
During the last TPRM, the ADB found that the progress was falling behind for the total portfolio and on current trends, it projected that the targets would not be achieved. It said timely and proactive addressing of project issues would minimise delays in the delivery of project outcomes.