ISLAMABAD: Perturbed over the lack of basic facilities and alleged wrongdoing in the redevelopment of G-13, the residents of the sector have approached the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seeking an investigation.

Hundreds of families are living in the sector but they have been complaining about the lack of basic facilities such as schools, parks, colleges, hospitals, streetlights and a proper water supply system. According to the residents, NAB has admitted their application for launching an investigation.

“Despite receiving development charges twice, we are not being provided the basic facilities. Both G-13 and G-14 are a picture of neglect,” said former ambassador Javed Hafiz, who lives in the sector.

Rs1.75bn project was started in August 2016 but work was abruptly stopped halfway in October 2017, say citizens

He said a couple of weeks ago NAB had intimated the complainants that their application had been accepted.

The entire G-13 sector is developed but the residents are facing a shortage of municipal services.

Mohammad Saifullah, a resident of G-14, said though only one subsector had been developed it also had dilapidated roads and faulty sewerage system.

Both sectors are being managed by the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF).

In their application to NAB in February, the residents had stated that the project for the redevelopment of G-13 worth Rs1.75 billion was started in August 2016 but abruptly stopped halfway in October 2017.

“In accordance with PC-1, the redevelopment work in G-13 included repair of roads, water and sewerage lines, horticulture and streetlights in addition to two retaining walls. Work on the project started in August 2016 but was abruptly stopped halfway in October 2017.”

The complainants alleged that the FGEHF consultant and contractor ignored good practices and joined hands to allegedly make money.

“It is requested that proper scrutiny of the conclusion of contract and payments made till now be ordered.”

The residents claimed that as per applicable rules and regulations detailed drawings along with bills of quantities were to be provided to all bidders at the time of tendering. But for some unknown reasons, this was not done in the present case.

“Moreover, bid analysis was not done honestly. For example, the rate claimed for making granular sub-base for roads (Rs52 per CFt) is on the higher side as compared with the prevailing NHA rates.”

They told NAB that G-13 was acquired by the FGEHF in mid-1990 and allotments were made to the applicants on the basis of retirement date.

The allotees were asked to deposit development charges twice, the last installment being in 2005, when development work was already underway.

Since then, the FGEHF has earned billions of rupees as development charges, transfer fee and sale of commercial plots.

However, only a fraction has been spent on the development and redevelopment of the sector, they alleged.

“It is an ugly slum in the heart of Islamabad with bumpy and broken roads. Sewerage system is dysfunctional and no sewage treatment plant has been constructed as envisaged in the original plan.”

They also claimed that the established criterion of seniority by age was completely relaxed by the FGEHF while allotting plots to its own officials in G-13. This sector has been a major source of fund generation for the housing foundation where pays and perks of officials are higher than other government departments.

When contacted, FGEHF Director General Waqas Mahmood denied any corrupt practice in the redevelopment project. He welcomed NAB and the residents for an investigation. The official said the project was facing a delay because of technical reasons.

FGEHF spokesman Sajid Asadi said work on roads under the redevelopment project had almost been completed.

“After a field survey, the scope of work was expanded by up 29pc. For this, we have to get approval of the revised PC-1 from the Departmental Working Party (DWP). Soon, we will present this agenda item before the DWP,” he said.

He said initially the foundation had planned to provide funds for the project after selling the commercial area but because of an ownership dispute with the CDA regarding the G-13 markaz the foundation could not hold the planned auction.

“However, now things are moving on the right track and we will restart the project soon.”

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2018