Jhang DCO Seeks Report on Incomplete Nursing School
Jhang :August 13: DCO Maqbool Ahmad took a notice of incomplete building of a nursing school, which is under construction for the last two years despite utilising huge funds of the Health Department.
Sources said that the Punjab Communication and Works Department secretary had demanded a report from the EDO Works and Services Jhang in September 2012 vide letter issued from the Punjab Chief Engineer Monitoring office, but to no avail. The Punjab C&W Department secretary was informed that General Nursing and Public Health Nursing Schools had already been functioning in their buildings situated on the premises of DHQ Hospital, but the Building Department engineers not only proposed a third building for school in the hospital but also got Rs 30 million released from the National MNCH Programme of Health Department two years back ignoring the fact that already available buildings could be extended.
It was also pointed out that the contract was awarded to a favourite contractor who allegedly used substandard material against the specification of approved estimate. Sources disclosed that low quality electricity wiring, marble floors and sanitary fittings in bath rooms could easily be seen besides observing iron windows and doors instead of wooden.
They said after being noticed by the C&W secretary, the Punjab Chief Engineer Monitoring ordered the then W&S EDO Akmal Khan to inquire into the matter and submit a report for appropriate action against responsible. However, some influential people managed to get him transferred from Jhang because he had refused the sub-engineer who wanted to get the project estimate revised by getting special rates.
After his transfer, the charge of W&S EDO was given to the DO Buildings and a proposal to revise the project estimate was prepared by including special items rates. Sources said the building had almost been completed but for want of more funds it was being considered under-construction. Sources said that about Rs 30 million had been released from government accounts but project was still in doldrums. Public Health Specialist Dr Zulfiqar Ali has written letters to the DO Buildings to hand over the building, but to no avail. DCO Maqbool Ahmad has directed the F&P EDO to inspect the building and send him a report. This scribe visited the office of DO Buildings Riaz Butt to get his version, but he was not available.The news.
