Machines bought for Rs 158 mn used for 420 hours in 11 years

During a recent examination of the Western Provincial Road Development Authority by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), it was revealed that two concrete placing machines, and a curb machine, procured in 2012, at Rs. 158 mn and Rs 6 mn, respectively, had not been utilised properly.

According to COPA, the two machines had been used for only 420 hours from 2012 to November 2022, and the curb machine had been idling.

The COPA also disclosed there had been 556 daily paid workers as at December 31st 2021, in excess of the cadre requirements of the Western Provincial Road Development Authority.

Prof. Charitha Herath and the members present said that although there were a large number of projects in the past period, the number of road development projects had decreased due to several factors including the current dollar crisis. Therefore, if all these employees were hired on a permanent basis, they would have to be paid salaries by the Treasury. Therefore, the COPA members said only those whose services were essential had to be absorbed into the permanent cadre.

Prof. Herath recommended that a report be given to COPA within three months. (SF)