ECNEC okays nine projects involving Tk 75.39b

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved on Sunday nine projects with the total estimated cost of Tk 75.39 billion, including a Tk 25.11 billion project to expand the scope for science education in some 200 government colleges across the country, reports UNB.

The approval came from an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city with EECNEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, “A total of nine projects were approved today involving an overall cost of Tk 75.39 billion.”

Of the total estimated cost, he said, Tk 67.51 billion will come from the national exchequer, while Tk 5.28 billion as project assistance and Tk 2.85 billion from the own funds of the organisations concerned.

Eight of the projects are new while another is revised one.

In terms of cost, the biggest project is ‘Expansion of Science Education’s Scope in Government Colleges Project’ involving Tk 25.11 billion. The entire cost will come from government funds.

About the project, the Planning Minister said the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education will implement the project by June 2021.

The goals of the project are to extend infrastructures, expand scope for ICT and science research and enhance skills of teachers with a view to expanding scope for science education.

The interest of students and the youth for science education has declined in recent times, though science and technology are indispensable in the current world, the minister said.

The other projects are ‘Construction of Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex on Bailey Road in Dhaka (1st revised) Project’ with an estimated cost of Tk 1.94 billion, ‘Collection of 35 commercial and eight supportive water vessels for BIWTC and Construction of two new slip ways’ with Tk 13.19 billion, ‘Establishment and Commissioning of Optical Fibre Based Telecommunications in 575-kilometre secondary line of Bangladesh Railways’ with Tk 6.87 billion, and Preparation of Master plan and Development of Basic Infrastructures in Upazila Towns (non-municipal)’ with Tk 13.80 billion.

The projects also include ‘Development of Physical Infrastructures (Roads and Drains) of Gazipur City Corporation’ with Tk 6.60 billion, ‘Construction of Residences for Cleaning Workers under Chattogram City Corporation’ with Tk 2.31 billion, ‘Enhancing Tolerance of destitute community (Provati) by Development of Infrastructural skills and Information’ with Tk 7.57 billion, and Installation of 0.5 million smart pre-paid metres in the areas under Northern Electricity Supply Company’ with Tk 4.14 billion.