Ecnec okays eight dev projects

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved eight development projects with an outlay of Tk 1,442.42 crore, including one to set up the second campus of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University involving Tk 238.87 crore.

The approval came from a meeting at the NEC conference room with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, "Of the total project cost, Tk 953.52 crore will come from the national exchequer and Tk 25.04 crore from the organisation's own fund while Tk 463.85 crore from project assistance."

Of the approved eight projects, seven are new while another is a revised one.

Planning ministry sources said Bangladesh University Grants Commission, and Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University will implement the project by June 2019 at Pahartali and Hathazari of Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar entirely with government fund. Under the project, two new faculties, two new institutes and four departments would be set up. Mustafa Kamal said the prime minister at the meeting asked the authorities concerned to take initiatives for setting up a specialised university in Cox's Bazar with an emphasis on research.

The Ecnec meeting gave nod to another project titled "Establishment of supervisory control and data acquisition system" with Tk 152.20 crore to ensure efficiency in electricity management at the zone under Desco.

Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited under the Power Division will implement the project by June 2019 in Gazipur, Narayanganj, Dhaka metropolitan city (north), Tongi and Purbachal Model Town with support from the Asian Development Bank.  The other approved projects are enhancing physical and academic facilities of Noakhali Science and Technology University with Tk 238.48 crore, modernisation of food and radiation science facilities at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission with Tk 47.67 crore, establishment of BSCIC printing industrial estate with Tk 140.41 crore, Kaliakoir hi-tech park (3rd revised) with Tk 394.15 crore, development of Sylhet-Sunamganj road with Tk 140.65 crore and Ruma-Bogalake-Keokradang road development (1st phase) with Tk 89.98 crore.