NAB to kicks off inquiry into the corruption of Nandipur power project: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has worked round the clock on energy projects during last two years. He said that the sincere efforts made for the implementation of power projects by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif are unprecedented in the history of the country.

He said that a conspiracy was hatched in the form of a sit-in last year to undermine the efforts of the government in this regard but the time has passed now and progress is being made on power projects with a new spirit and determination. He said that government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has three priorities including unity of political and military leadership at the national level in the war against terrorism, implementation of power projects for resolving energy crisis and strengthening of national economy.

He said that a section of the media has misreported the facts about one hundred megawatt project in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park. He said that Punjab government has set up the first and the biggest solar project of the country with its own resources at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur which is providing electricity to national grid for the last five months but he said a section of the media has tried to make this project controversial and tried to give the impression that this project produces 10 to 12 megawatt electricity. He said that these reports are not based on facts. He said that last night, a slide was shown by a TV channel regarding 18 billion rupees as the cost of this project but it is not true.

The Chief Minister was addressing a heavily attended press conference, here today. He said that he considers himself Khadim of the masses and service to the people is his mission. He said that the efforts for the implementation of power projects under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will continue till complete elimination of darkness from the country.

He said that NEPRA which is a constitutional institution of federal government fixes the rate of electricity generated from different sources and it fixed the tariff of energy produced by solar project at 16.3 cent in 2014 but despite passage of one and a half years, no solar plant has been set up so far. He said that Punjab government took a bold step and established the first and the biggest solar project of Pakistan at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur. He said that a prominent German Company GIZ had conducted a study in Pakistan in 2013 and fixed power tariff at 2.04 million dollar per megawatt.

He said that NEPRA approved 1.69 million dollar for per megawatt on the basis of this study. He said that transparency and standard have been ensured in the solar project of one hundred megawatt. He said that German Consultant prepared a feasibility report, after which, tenders were floated and bids were invited. He said that the highest bid was two million dollar per megawatt while the lowest was 1.51 million dollar per megawatt.

He said that though PEMRA rules do not allow negotiations with the lowest bidder but still dialogues were held with the company and about 20 million dollar which are approximately two billion rupees were saved and he remained successful in getting the lowest rate for one hundred megawatt solar power project. He said that this has provided a new bench mark for NEPRA on the basis of which it reduced power tariff and announced the tariff of 14.1 cent in January 2015.

However, he said that Punjab government achieved the tariff of 13.9 cents. He said that keeping in view the transparency of solar project, not only a saving of two billion rupees was made but NEPRA also had to reduce this tariff. He said that in order to uphold the interest of the country and the poor masses he held negotiations with the lowest bidder and saved two billion rupees of the nation. He said that this cost is 1.80 million dollar per megawatt in America and 1.50 million dollar in India.

The Chief Minister said that an agreement of solar project was made in April 2014 but due to sit-in politics, everything was ruined and Chinese returned back. He said that the work was again started in November 2014 and 100 megawatt solar project was completed on March 30, 2015 in a record period. He said that there is no other example of completing 100 megawatt project in 6 months’ record period in the history of Pakistan.

Shahbaz Sharif said that in a programme, is was said that construction of roads and metro is another thing and setting up of energy projects is different thing, but, the solar project was not only completed in a record period but it is also providing electricity to national grid. He said that wrong statement was made with regard to generating 10 to 12 megawatt electricity from this project.

He said that an average of 17 to 19 megawatt electricity is generated by solar projects all over the world, as it is an admitted fact that sunlight is not available 24 hours, and, if 24 hours are made the basis, the average production of electricity comes to 17 to 19 megawatt. He said that this formula is observed throughout the world as solar energy is obtained from the sun and less light is available from the sun in the morning and end of the day, therefore, less electricity is generated during these periods. But, he said in peak hours, solar energy increases and 80 megawatt electricity is generated from 100 megawatt project.

The Chief Minister said that if there are clouds, the electricity is not generated. He said that as there is no sunlight in the night, therefore, the question of generation of electricity does not arise. He said that 35 thousand megawatt electricity is generated from solar power in China, 35 thousand megawatt in Germany and 4500 megawatt in India.

He said that Punjab government has completed 100 megawatt solar project transparently but some elements are criticizing it. He said that Punjab government has saved 18 billion rupees of national exchequer by holding successful dialogues with lowest bidders in various projects during seven years and today these facts are being presented before the media. Slides of 18 billion rupees were also shown with regard to the cost of solar project but 13.5 billion rupees were spent on this project.

Shahbaz Sharif said that we do not need any appreciation but the efforts being made under the guidance of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will continue. He said that not a penny has been saved in any project whether it is wind energy project or oil energy project like we have achieved in solar project. He said that this is the first project of Pakistan in which 2.5 cents were saved. He said that 3600 megawatt gas-based energy projects will be set up in Punjab, of which, two projects of 1200 megawatt will be set up by federal government while Punjab government will set up a project of 1200 megawatt from its own resources.

He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will himself disclose how many savings were made in these projects. He said that a human can commit mistake but at a time when serious efforts are being made for bringing the country and the nation out of darkness, sit-ins are again being staged. He asked media to make positive criticism and we will accept it openly and take guidance but criticism for the sake of criticism creates misunderstandings. He said that we all should be united on transparency, honesty and hard work.

The Chief Minister appealed in the name of Pakistan that negative criticism should not be made against the sincere efforts being made for removing darkness. He said that journey of lights has started again and there should be no media trial on the basis of misunderstanding. He said that if embezzlement of a single penny is proved, he is ready for accountability.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he has recovered from cancer and devoted his life for service to the masses. He said that the credit of achieving low tariff in 100 megawatt solar project go to his entire team of Punjab and he has been provided guidance by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in this regard. He said that all documents of solar power project are available at website. He said that work will have to be carried out round the clock for ridding the nation of darkness. He said that if anyone has committed any mistake or corruption intentionally, he should be taken to task.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister held a meeting the other day regarding Nandipur Power Project and took timely decisions. He said that whatever happened with this project before we came into power, Supreme Court has taken its notice. He said that the machinery of this project remained lying at Karachi Port for three years in previous tenure due to Babar Awan and this project was buried and ruthless plundering was committed in this project.

The Chief Minister said that he cannot order NAB as it is a federal department, however, he had reminded NAB to take strict notice of the plundering in the Nandipur Power Project. He said that it was decided in the meeting of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif that audit of the expenses incurred on this project during our government should be conducted by Ferguson and investigation should also be carried out that 425 megawatt electricity was generated from this project in trial test and why it has now stopped.

He said that Federal Minister for Water & Power Kh. Muhammad Asif will hold press conference tomorrow in this regard. He said that the amount of 81 billion rupees regarding Nandipur power project is also incorrect.

Replying to another question, Shehbaz Sharif said that if wrong facts and figures will be presented with regard to solar project on misunderstanding it does not give good impression about the governments. He said that work is continuing on 1320 megawatt coal based power project in Sahiwal and if anyone again tried to revive sit-in politics, it will be highly unfortunate and cruelty with the poor people. He appealed not to plunge the poor people into the quagmire of cruelty and excesses and media should become an iron wall against such elements.

Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that NAB should take action with regard to Nandipur power project and if law permits, he himself will submit a written application. In response to another question, Shehbaz Sharif said that if intentions are good, the darkness will be removed from the country and there will be light. He said that the elite should come forward and guide the nation in this regard. He expressed the hope that there will be a considerable decrease in the darkness by the end of 2017. He said that if sit-in politics was promoted, then every citizen from Peshawar to Karachi will not pardon the elite.

Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that the image of the government is strong, that is why, foreign exchange reserves have increased to more than 18 billion dollars. He said that China has given historic economic package of 43 billion dollars, inflation rate has decreased, construction work on Lahore orange line metro train has been started and this is the project of 150 billion rupees. Shehbaz Sharif said that political and military leadership is on one page. He said that no one will be allowed to damage the improving image of the country.

In response to another question, the Chief Minister said that he is aware of the news regarding kidnapping of two youth in Rawalpindi and blackmailing. He said that investigation is continuing, however, the decision will be made on the basis of justice in this regard.