ISLAMABAD: Security arrangements at educational institutions have fallen prey to a bureaucratic tussle between Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Public Works Department (PWD), causing delays in execution of work.

Recently the FDE, in an unprecedented move, requested the Rawalpindi Building Department to carry out security-related construction work.

However, PWD has objected to the FDE’s move.

Following the December 16 attack, on a school in Peshawar, which left 144 dead, all educational institutions in Islamabad were closed.

The opening of schools was made conditional upon completion of certain security arrangements. However, most public schools are yet to complete the arrangements despite having been open for weeks.

FDE sidelined PWD and contacted Rawalpindi Building Department to carry out security related work

FDE, responsible for 422 educational institutions in Islamabad, was given a budget of Rs180 million to complete security arrangements but is yet to determine the procedure for carrying out the work.

Sources said the PWD sent an official letter, dated February 3, 2015 (available with Dawn) to FDE, stating that according to rules, the FDE could not engage the Rawalpindi Building Department to carry out federal government funded projects in Islamabad.

The letter issued by PWD Superintending Engineer Qaisar Abbas was addressed to FDE director general and stated “It has come to our knowledge that FDE has approached the Provincial Government Building Department, Rawalpindi for execution of work i.e. construction of boundary walls etc. However, PWD is the federal executing agency as per Rules of Business 1973.”

The letter further detailed that execution of all federal government works is to be carried out by PWD.

An FDE official, requesting anonymity, expressed surprise at the FDE’s decision to engage the provincial building department.

“If the FDE does not wish to have the work done through the PWD, it could have the construction work carried out by issuing an open tender for the contract, under a departmental committee. However, it cannot award the work to the Rawalpindi Building Department,” he said.

A PWD senior official, requesting not to be named, claimed that one of their officers ‘misguided’ the officers at the Capital Administration and Development Division regarding PWD’s credibility.

“This officer told certain senior CADD officer that PWD officers would demand kickbacks if PWD is awarded the contract,” the official said.

While certain corruption allegations have surfaced against the PWD in the recent past, the department possesses the required engineering expertise and staff to carry out the work.

Recently, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Rajab Ali Khan Baloch, while discussing corruption cases against PWD officers in National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works, had also expressed dissatisfaction over the department’s performance.

A source at the FDE said Rs180 million had already been transferred into the department’s account but, it is yet to be utilised.

He said boundary walls of around 150 schools are below six feet, which, according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by CADD, should be at least eight feet. There are 60 schools with collapsed walls, the source said.

When contacted, Tahir Bhatti, a spokesman for the FDE, confirmed that the directorate made contact with the Rawalpindi Building Department.

However, he said, rather than giving the contract to any government department, the FDE has decided to allow principals of schools to get the work done under their supervision.

In response to a query, he said the PWD should not object to the FDE’s decisions.

“The PWD director general is cooperating with us and has never shown reservations against the FDE’s decisions. Today, the FDE applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to start construction work through school principals and school management committees,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2015

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