LAHORE, May 6: The Punjab government decided on Friday to create a centre of excellence to monitor execution of all types of development projects, and to develop human resource in the project management sector. An approval to set up the centre which would function under the planning and development board, was given at a meeting which was presided over by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here. Noted project management expert Dr Tom Johns briefed the chief minister on the subject.

According to officials, the centre would serve as the central command of the project management units created by all departments for the supervision of their development projects.

The centre would not only look after the units but also supervise all mega and small projects right from their conception to completion. It would ensure transparency, proper utilization of funds, quality of work and timely completion of the projects.

Sources said the centre would be allowed to use resources and campuses of the provincial government’s engineering academy and management and professional development department to impart training and expertise in the domain of project management to government functionaries.

The chief minister said the centre would be established to create a permanent system for the completion of all development projects in an organized manner.

He said coordination among the related departments was necessary for the timely and proper completion of development projects. This would be possible through the new management system.

The chief minister said the centre would provide guidelines to all departments with regard to project management besides ensuring better utilization of funds for development.

The centre would be headed by project management unit consultant Khalid Khan, he said.