No multiple projects under one PD

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the authorities concerned not to assign the same project director (PD) for multiple projects to ensure timely and smooth project implementation.

The premier has recently expressed frustration over the appointment a single person in several important projects, ignoring her instructions. The prime minister also termed this a ‘serious’ issue.

In an official letter last week, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has instructed all the ministries and divisions to address the issue of having the same PD for two or more projects by 22 February, official sources confirmed.

The letter also asked ministries and divisions to submit reports in this regard to the PMO separately. The PMO will also hold a follow-up meeting on this issue.

The PMO noted that a single project director (PD) has been assigned for 14 projects under the Road Transportation and Highways Division while another two PDs have been assigned for 13 projects each.

Besides, five PDs are supervising 10 or more projects each under the same divisions.

Besides, at least 38 officials of the local government division have been assigned for implementing two or more projects each. Of the officials, 14 have been assigned to three to six projects.

The same issue has been found with the projects under the Power Division, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Railway Division.

Taking this into account, the PMO asked the authorities to take necessary measures in this regard.

“We are taking necessary steps as per the prime minister’s instruction,” a top official of the ministry of power and energy said.

Appointment of an efficient and fulltime project director is mandatory for every public-funded project with an estimated cost of Tk 500 million or more.