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Kathmandu Thursday February 14, 2002 Falgun 02, 2058.
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Guarantee transparency
As the corrupt leaders and bureaucrats are going
scot-free in our country after earning huge amounts of money by illegal means, more and
more of them are hatching plans to embezzle money from government projects. It seems that
they are bent on making money from any project. They do not spare even the major projects
which are undertaken to benefit the vast majority of people including themselves. Such
unscrupulous people seem to be solely guided by their personal gain and care a damn for
the welfare of people in general.
The Melamchi Drinking Water Project is now under
construction. Journalists have already pointed out that all is not well with the awarding
of the contract to the construction company . They have alleged that the project not only
lacks transparency but also smacks of foul play which attempts to select the party that is
ready to grease the palms of the people concerned.
Even the local people have been voicing concern
and urging the government to ensure transparency . If corruption is involved in this
project right from the beginning, one can easily surmise its fate and its durability. The
government will be held responsible if any disaster of major proportion occurs. Moreover,
since most of the major donor countries and agencies are involved in this project, which
is being awaited by the people of the capital as a ‘dream project’ to meet their
drinking water needs, the government must ensure that the project will be completed
smoothly as planned without compromising on quality. It is the government’s duty to
monitor project activities and supervise them thoroughly to guarantee transparency and
quality.
Suresh Pathak
Kathmandu |
