The Chinese government has asked Sino Hydro, engaged in the Dhaka-Chittagong highway four-lane project, to complete work within the stipulated timeframe, casting off its alleged apathy and even with its own money.
"We have told Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd that you have to finish the work even with your own money," said Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Counsellor Wang Zijian.
About the company's different claims, like - delay in getting land and payments etc, he, however, told the FE that directives have been given for getting those settled in an amicable way.
The Chinese mission's directive was shared recently with the FE amidst allegations against some of the Chinese companies, including Sino Hydro, of delaying completion of the four-lane project.
The corporation, being the lowest bidder, was awarded 70 per cent of the 193-kilometre widening work of the country's main economic corridor in 2010.
The firm stopped work to press for compensating its loss, following political turmoil in 2013 as well as delay in getting the acquired land. It also claimed compensation for not getting their due payments in time.
Roads and Highways Department (RHD) claimed that due to quoting much below the market price, the contractor faced 'financial loss' and could not carry out the construction work in its seven packages.
The economic and commercial counsellor, however, said Sino Hydro is his country's one of the biggest companies with good reputation. Like other Chinese companies it is also a 'responsible' one.
"The implementing agency has some responsibility for awarding the work to the company despite understanding its rate below the market level. Still we've told Sino Hydro that you are responsible, and you have to finish it," the diplomat said.
Meanwhile, Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project office termed progress on Sino Hydro's assigned all seven packages 'satisfactory'. They are also now hopeful about completing the work within the stipulated time.
More than 50 per cent of work on the four-lane highway project has been completed till March, said an official concerned.
The field-level work has suffered due to the latest political turmoil. But Sino Hydro has tried its best to carry on the construction work, he also said.
"Progress in Sino Hydro's work is now better than other contractors," he added. RHD in 2010 awarded the 192.3-km Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane-highway work to three construction firms: Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd of China, and Reza Construction Ltd and Taher Brothers-ACL joint venture of Bangladesh.
Of the total work, the Chinese firm is responsible for completing 70 per cent in seven packages, while the two Bangladesh firms the rest in three packages.
Initially, the project office had allegation of getting poor budget allocation for the Tk 32-billion project. The Ministry of Finance increased the allocation in the last two fiscal years with the target to complete the work by December next.
However, observers said the situation has become 'normal' after Sino Hydro got the country's another important project - river training of the Padma for construction of bridge.
   smunima@yahoo.com
China tells Sino Hydro to finish work with \\\'own fund\\\'
Munima Sultana | Published: April 07, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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