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| Sunday, 21 August 2005 |
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NGOs delay tsunami housing by Jayantha Sri Nissanka and W.T.J.S. Kaviratne Several leading NGOs have delayed the implementation of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) they have signed with the Government to undertake large housing projects for tsunami victims in time even though the Government had given lands for NGOs to begin construction. Official lethargy has also contributed to the delay. These NGOs are appointing consultants and technical staff to the proposed projects only now. The process of initial planning still continues and handing over of houses could be delayed as far as the end of next year, according to a research conducted by Dr. Upasiri de Silva, former senior lecturer at the University of Technology in Australia who is now a consultant on a voluntary basis to the Ministry of Urban Development. According to the research, only small donors who have promised to build about 25 houses have successfully completed the projects undertaken. Some NGOs have been insisting that they be supplied with the list of housing recipients even though their contract is to supply houses to the government. There are also allegations that some NGOs have bought luxury vehicles and have leased a considerable number of five star hotel rooms for their officials. Apart from such expenses they have the balance donor money intact in deposit accounts at banks earning interest while the tsunami victims suffer in silence. Further, the Tsunami Housing Reconstruction Unit (THRU) of the Urban Development Authority has observed that contractors have built many sub-standard houses. For example, Dr. Silva had urged the demolition of 24 inferior houses in Hambantota and 20 houses in Kalutara. Yet the Hambantota houses have not been demolished. His research had found many such inferior houses built in many tsunami affected areas by contractors who work without any technical supervision. Dr. Silva in his research had emphasised the need to revamp the entire tsunami projects administrative structure which had employed many lethargic administrative officers and professionals who know nothing about construction, administration and management. He had also noticed a power struggle between the Provincial Councils and the Central Government which adversely affect the speedy implementation of many projects. Dr.Silva plans to hand over his research paper to the Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane and President Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga in the coming weeks. |
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