Strategic Cities Development Project marred with misdeeds moves at snail’s pace
Work on Sri Lanka’s Strategic Cities Development Project covering the cities of Kandy, Galle and Jaffna marred with financial irregularities and deficiencies moves at snail’s pace even after more than three years had elapsed since its launch.
This project has been implemented with the aim of improving selected urban services and public open spaces in the three key cities at an estimated cost of US$192.8 million (Rs.25.16 billion).
The International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank had agreed to provide $167 million for the implementation of the project with additional funding of $55 million for Jaffna city development, Finance Ministry sources revealed.
City development activities of this project were scheduled to be completed by 2021.
Provisions of $202 million had been made by the IDA by which loans are provided for this project.
Even though a period of 3 ½ years had elapsed by the end of the year under review after commencement of the project, only a $23.16 million representing 11 per cent of the provisions made by then had been utilised, a recent Auditor General’s report revealed.
Project performance had been at a very weak level due to the failure in dividing its functions monthly, quarterly and half-yearly and the setting out targets in action plans in a proper manner, the report highlighted.
According to findings of the report, of the provision of $2.17 million made for the City Development Project of Jaffna, only $0.29 million had been utilised in the year under review.
34 contracts, to the value of Rs.8.29 billion, out of 87 contracts at an estimated cost of Rs19.62 billion had been awarded to contractors for rehabilitation works in cities of Kandy, Galle and Jaffna.
However, works of contracts relating to 25 sub-projects had not been commenced on due dates as planned, the report showed.
Several residents in Kandy and Galle told the Business Times that “they are wondering as to when the strategic city will become reality amidst no signs of development in infrastructure, transport and security of citizens promised by the relevant ministers.”
The only visible sign was the opening of the George E. De Silva Park in Kandy at a cost Rs. 173 million, residents said.
Plans are underway to build a central bus stand at a cost of Rs. 182 million and a railway station at Kandy Good shed premises.
The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has allocated Rs. 156 million to the Municipal Council’s irrigation department for necessary equipment.
The 840 residents who have been affected by the Kandy development project will be given compensation, a senior official said, adding that massive funds have been allocated for a large vehicle park.
An 11-storey building will be constructed for railway workers’ accommodation. Other developments for the rail transport sector are also planned, which will ease traffic congestion in Kandy, the official said.
A number of development projects have been planned to be initiated within the city of Galle, with the aim of rectifying a multitude of inadequacies in flood control structures, transport, infrastructure, canals and irrigation network, drainage systems and road grid, etc.
The Jaffna city project will improve the road network and rehabilitate the drainage system while preserving the city’s ponds, which have played an important role in flood management and which could be a key to climate change adaptation, Ministry sources revealed.
In addition, the project aims to preserve cultural heritage assets such as public spaces and parks as well as encouraging cycling.