Administrative hurdles, contractor reluctance undermining development projects: Adviser

Officials are shunning the role of development project director, once considered a “desirable post”, while contractors too are showing declining enthusiasm, threatening the momentum of the Annual Development Programme (ADP), Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud has said.

Speaking after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Monday, he expressed frustration that despite mid-year government efforts, the ADP has not gained the desired pace.

 “The problems persist. The issues with project directors are unresolved. The difficulty is that now no one wants to become a project director. Contractors are also not keen,” he said.

The ECNEC meeting, presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, was held at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Later, Wahiduddin briefed reporters at the Planning Commission premises.

He identified the revision of government procurement rules as the key reason for contractors’ reluctance.

 “The new procurement policy is far more transparent. Previously, a few dominant companies controlled contracts for major roads and railways nationwide, ensuring repeat awards.

 “Now, monopolies are impossible. All applicants must provide complete details about their business, taxes, and other related enterprises. Work cannot be subcontracted under influence. This discourages those who previously relied on opaque practices.”

When asked what proportion of development projects currently lack directors, Wahiduddin said exact figures were unavailable but noted that many ministries and departments continue to operate with interim appointees, preventing progress.

 “These are administrative issues we have been battling from the beginning. Determining appointments, promotions, fairness, and integrity -- who is capable, who is corrupt -- remains a massive challenge,” he added.

He highlighted slow ADP expenditure as evidence of the problem.

From July to October in the current fiscal year, only 8.33 per cent of ADP funds were utilised, up slightly from 7.90 per cent in the same period of the 2024-25 fiscal year.

In contrast, the first four months of the preceding three fiscal years saw higher implementation rates: 11.54 per cent (FY2024), 12.64 per cent (FY2023), and 13.06 per cent (FY2022).