ECNEC Approves 8 Development Projects Worth Tk 22.66 Billion, Including Two Education Technology Initiatives

Although no new projects were approved in the science, telecommunications or ICT sectors, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved eight development projects, including two technology-driven initiatives under the Ministry of Education, with a combined estimated cost of Tk 22.66 billion.

The approvals were granted at an ECNEC meeting held on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat chaired by the Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Of the total allocation, Tk 22.29 billion will be financed from the government's own funds, while Tk 372.8 million will come from the resources of the implementing agencies.

According to officials, the approved package includes three new projects, three revised projects and two projects receiving time extensions.

Among the extended projects under the Ministry of Education are the technology-based Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) Support Project (Third Revision) and the Installation of Multimedia Classrooms in 653 Madrasas Project (Third Revision).

Following the third revision, the cost of the MEMIS project has increased from Tk 101.26 million to Tk 380.72 million. Meanwhile, the cost of the multimedia classroom project has risen to Tk 381.33 million.

The meeting also approved the first revision of the Capacity Enhancement of Existing Grid Substations and Transmission Lines Project under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, with its project cost increasing by nearly Tk 2.32 billion.

Among those attending the meeting were Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and senior officials from the relevant ministries.

Other projects approved by ECNEC include the Barishal Irrigation Project Maintenance and Rehabilitation (Phase-I) under the Ministry of Water Resources; the Anwara–Banshkhali–Toitong–Pekua–Badarkhali–Chakaria (Eidmoni) Regional Highway Development Project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges; installation of lifts at Circuit Houses and Deputy Commissioners' offices in 33 districts under the Ministry of Public Administration; the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Expansion-2 Project under the Ministry of Health; and the Construction of a Cancer Centre at CMH Dhaka (Phase-II) under the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, the Planning Minister also briefed ECNEC on six previously approved projects with costs below Tk 500 million. These include projects related to municipal water supply and sanitation, waste management in the Dhaka South City Corporation, expansion of postal services, infrastructure development of the MES Training Cell, a child marriage prevention programme, and the establishment of an agricultural college in Paikgachha, Khulna.

//DBTech/SI/MI/OR//