Report: Nasir Dawar
Massive scams including issuance of advance checks, illegal site changes, and other irregularities have been uncovered in the construction of 10 check dams approved by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for irrigation in North Waziristan.
The said 10 dams were to be constructed at various location in the region including Razmak, Garyum, Zahwar Algad Kati Panga Dalil Khel, Forkan Kasa Asad Khel, Sarka Old Paryat, Pangay Kohi Pari, Star Sarobi Tehsil Dosali, Dingu Damdel, Muski Village Star Sarobi and Lakay Asad Khel.
Many of these dams do not exist on the ground, despite millions of rupees being released by KP government. Additionally, some of these dams have been relocated without any official approval. According to the sources, the work on the dams was only began after the deputy commissioner of the area highlighted the scam.
According to the report of an inquiry committee set up by the Deputy Commissioner of North Waziristan to uncover the corruption related to the construction of dams and the release of funds illegally, the plan to build check dams to save rainwater at 10 places in North Waziristan was approved with an estimated cost of Rs.91.9 million.
The investigation report revealed that, it was reported by Irrigation department that Nawal Village Razmak Dam that it has been completed but in reality, no work had been started. Similarly, the Shodat Khel Dam was also falsely reported as completed, but in fact, work had not yet begun on it and its location has been changed without any approval. Construction on the new site is progressing slowly, and three suspicious bills related to this dam have been cleared.
The investigation report also revealed that no work has been initiated on Forqan Kasa Asad Khel Dam either, while the location of another Sarkay Dam has only been identified. The report recommends a further inquiry into the payments made for this dam. Moreover, it was reported that only 40% of the work of Zahwar Algad katli Panga Dalil Khel Dam has been completed, but this work only began after the inquiry into the corruption started.
The report further stated that 80% of the work on the dam at Pangay Kohi Pari has been completed and the work on the Sarobi Dam is complete, but due to substandard construction, water is leaking from it. Additionally, the location of Dingu Damdel Dam has also been changed and it has been constructed about 20 km away from the original site, this was also done without any official approval.
The investigation report also highlighted that the construction of Muski Dam was claimed to be complete, yet work on it only began a month ago, while the work on Lakay Asad Khel Dam has been reported the best but information about it is also very scanty.
Report also revealed that the issue of advance payments before commencement of construction work on check dams was raised with the Executive Engineer of the North Waziristan Irrigation Department and directed to provide records and report on the matter but unfortunately the matter was ignored and no response was received.
The inquiry report also states that advance payments made for Nawal Check Dam and for Shodat Khel Check Dam without starting any construction work, a move tantamount to irregularity. The report also asserted that due to lack of necessary documents from the Irrigation Department, it has become impossible to verify the feasibility of the schemes.
The report pointed out that the Irrigation department has sanctioned a technical fund up to 8% of the project cost without commencing construction work and the sanction was given without justification, which caused an unnecessary financial burden on the national exchequer.
The inquiry report also revealed advance payments to contractors of the said dams based on Fake Measurement Books (MBS), which compromised the quality of work. These MBS books were forged and some even lacking the signature of the Superintending Engineer (SE).
The report revealed large-scale irregularities, negligence and misuse of government resources in the construction of check dams, which resulted in compromised work quality. The Deputy Commissioner recommended in the report that a complete record of all the schemes undertaken by the Irrigation Department should be provided for thorough review.
The report also stressed that dam locations should not be changed without the approval of the competent authority and the coordinates of the projects should be made mandatory.
Conversely, the KP government claims that the construction of the check dams is nearly complete. When the “Karachi Papers” contacted Exin North Waziristan, Naik Amal Khan, he stated that the work on some dams is progressing slowly due to the non-availability of funds,
Additionally, a sub-divisional officer, on condition of anonymity, has confirmed to the “Karachi Papers” that the funds were released to contractors illegally.
On the other hand, according to the sources, work on the dams began only after the inquiry was initiated by the Deputy Commissioner of North Waziristan. The Deputy Commissioner has also dispatched the report to the Secretary of Irrigation, Chief Minister of KP, Secretary of Development and Planning, Commissioner of Bannu Division, and other relevant officials.
