SINCE the government is showing more interest in construction related projects or mega projects, economists have suggested that the government should scrutinize the quality of the mega projects, especially the construction projects, under the Annual Development Program (ADP) as the vernacular daily reports said on Friday. If the quality of construction is not ensured, the short life-span of construction projects may bring mammoth losses for the economy as reportedly the government have been running into repeated cost overruns leading to the unforeseen drainage of public money for the benefit of few.
There is a construction boom going on in the country at the moment under public and private initiatives. With such spur of activities, there comes the prime question on the quality of materials that are being used for construction. The next, but more professional question comes regarding the factors that really affect the quality of construction. Recent building collapses and construction-time bridge collapses have, however, pointed out our limitations in assuring the quality of finished construction with respect to design, construction methodology, construction arrangement, construction supervision, proper use and maintenance of the constructed facility.
These are important not only to increase the safety but also to enhance the life cycle benefits of the facility. It is the owner who will get the ultimate benefit when these key issues are properly addressed. When a construction time or a post construction disaster strikes, immediately there develops an apprehension regarding the quality of the finished structure and it is often due to the use of materials of poor quality. The Padma Bridge, the much-hyped mega project is going to be constructed with local materials, which also deserves scrutiny.
Beyond quality issues of project construction, the extravagant cost due to delays and cost explosions has huge economic implications as the high costs due to loans from different lenders will increase the burden on the next generation. Experts said that the current trend of projects’ executions makes delays more likely and it will increase more wasteful expenditure and squeeze the government’s ability to provide funds to other projects.
So, quality of project construction and delayed implementation may carry the massive rise in the cost overrun for the economy. Besides, low quality of project construction will lead to the short life-span of the structure and lead to shocking catastrophes as we have gloomy experiences of such collapses in the past. Besides, it offers higher scope of corruption at all stages and levels.
On these two issues relating to mega project construction viz, cost overrun and quality of construction, government should have special concerns. As per the report, as 75 percent of the government investment went to the construction related projects, the government should ensure quality of the construction for avoiding financial loss and saving lives from risky construction. We won’t expect low quality mega construction will cause mega devastation for both the economy and lives of the people.
