Cost of CEB engineers’ foreign travel: An alternative

A news item in The Island of 31 May, under the caption, ‘Power and energy minister refuses permission for engineer’s foreign travel, says Minister for Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has refused permission for the engineers who were to travel abroad for testing a few short sections of high voltage cables purchased for a transmission substation project, as the trip would cost Rs.3.5 million, to be borne by the CEB, which is facing severe financial problems added to the precarious position the country is in economically, which is understandable.

The Chairman, CEB says these tests could be conducted online. I am not aware how satisfying or efficient the online testing could be, but would suggest that the successful tenderer be requested to meet this travel cost, which I presume will be acceptable to them to promote their business and also a magnanimous gesture at this hour. It is better to carry out physical testing of the material offered than to regret having depended solely on manuals and ‘online’ directions. Rs. 3.5 million when converted to US dollars will be peanuts for the tenderer? Or, request the supplier to send someone to carry out the tests and train our engineers here, after the good are delivered.

GADS
Via e-mail