Communications Ministry has proposed to increase the contract value of the Padma Bridge project’s independent checking engineer (ICE) by Tk 2.0275 crore.
Official sources said the London-based engineering firm Flint & Neill was appointed the ICE in April 2010 at a cost of Tk 9.52 crore (US$1.37 million). Now it demands a cost increase by 18.74 percent to Tk 12.84 crore.
The official documents revealed that the Communication Ministry’s subordinate body Bangladesh Bridge Authority, which appointed the Flint & Neill as ICE for multipurpose bridge project, has recommended entertaining the cost enhancement demand.
Taking into consideration the Bridge Authority’s recommendation, the Communications Ministry has moved the proposal to the Cabinet Purchase Committee for its approval.
Officials at the Communications Ministry said the Flint & Neill demanded the enhancement of its contract value because of the extra time it spent and engagement of extra manpower to check and correct the existing design of the Padma Bridge project.
It was said in the proposal that the Badma Bridge project’s New Zealand-based design consultant Maunsell Accom took extra time to complete the design on the ground of accommodating accelerated design programme.
“As a result, the Flint & Neill had to spend additional man-hours with extra manpower to check and correct the design of the bridge,” said a top official of the Communications Ministry.
Source: UNB Connect
