January 24, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 23, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 23: Corps Commander and President Executive Board of Defence Housing Authority, Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali, has expressed dissatisfaction over slow progress of ongoing refurbishment and renovation work in Defence.

While presiding over DHA Executive Board meeting on Monday, he asked DHA officials to improve pre-qualification of contractors and implement intensive monitoring of each stage of project’s execution to ensure quality and completion within the time frame. He said the slow progress of any project caused negative optics and inconvenience to the residents.

DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain informed the executive board meeting that the contract of M/s Shamsi Builders, who were undertaking the revamping of DHA Phase-I civic infrastructure had been cancelled due to their unsatisfactory performance. He said that a new contractor was being tasked to undertake the leftover project with enhanced speed and efficiency.

The board was informed that piling works at the site of DHA Cogeneration Plant was progressing satisfactorily and civil works were in full swing. The erection and installation of Siemens Power Plant and Alpha-Laval Desalination Plant would be completed as per schedule.

The Corps Commander asked DHA officials to ensure that the desalination plant starts operation by December positively.

The board was briefed about the progress of the infrastructure development in DHA Phase-III. It was informed that tendering for development of roads network, water lines, underground electric cable and sewerage lines has been completed while the contracting was in progress.

Lt-Gen Athar Ali emphasized the need of improving security environment in Defence with alarm system, effective mobile patrolling by DHA vigilance and better coordination with civil police. He directed that some mechanism should be devised to make the healthcare facilities in the proposed Creek City Hospital affordable to middle and lower income class. —PPI