State minister orders audit of all delayed communication projects

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Communication Murad Saeed vowed to launch the E-Tendering and billing system across the country to ensure transparency and accountability within the ministry.

Upon assuming the charge as state minister after his portfolio was changed yesterday, Saeed stated that they have embarked on a voyage of reforms and development with full zeal and enthusiasm under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The state minister reiterated that there will be no compromise on transparency and accountability, and from the first day the government has implemented revolutionary vision of change and reforms in the institutions.

He also vowed to implement PM Imran’s vision of eradicating corruption and strengthening public departments.

The state minister was briefed by chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) and other attached departments on the major ongoing, pending and future projects.

He also directed the ministry’s officials to launch a smart phone app within a month to provide necessary information particularly the project’s implementation, execution and progress in the desired region.

“This application is not new as it’s already been functional in most of the developed countries,” he said.

He resented the delay in various projects of NHA hampering tourism and indigenous development of the concerned areas.

Responding to a notice the state minister had taken on four-lane Chakdara to Kalam expressway, the officials informed that the project was delayed due to political interference and maneuvering.

The minister, therefore, ordered audit of all delayed projects since 2002 and claimed that legal procedures would be followed in accountability process.

He urged the officials to abide by the austerity campaign of PM Imran and avoid any unnecessary expenditure as he himself would bear the expenses of tea and refreshment if any guest visits the ministry.

“We are here to resolve issues by action instead of making sweeping statements,” he said.

He said internationally Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system is important for any project which has never been followed here.

“There was no need to construct flyovers every time to resolve traffic issues rather good engineering must have been employed to make sustainable solutions,” he remarked.

He said that now it is the high time to take crucial steps with team effort, improved coordination, dedication and proper direction to deliver the best to the masses.