§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the build quality and value for money of(a) the Rihand power station in Uttar Pradesh, (b) Burri power station in Sudan, (c) the north Khartoum power station in Sudan, (d) the Ashuganj power station in Bangladesh, (e) the Pergau dam in Malaysia and (f) the Samanalawewa dam in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Goodlad[holding answer 28 February 1994]: Under ODA guidelines we appraise and monitor the technical soundness of projects—including their "build quality"—and, whenever appropriate, we undertake contract price investigations to ensure value for money. The following build quality and value for money assessments have been made on the projects listed:
- (a) Construction at Rihand power station in India was assessed through ODA monitoring visits and reports during the successful completion of the project. Very high performance indicators for both production and on-line availability of the station indicate a good build quality. Operating costs per kilowatt hour generated by Rihand rank amongst the lowest of recently built coal fired power stations in India.
- (b) and
- (c) The Burri and Khartoum power stations in Sudan have been evaluated by ODA who concluded that the appropriateness of plant design was correct. There was competitive bidding for the two power stations among United Kingdom companies.
- (d) The Ashuganj generating plant in Bangladesh was commissioned in 1982 following United Kingdom competitive bidding. ODA evaluated the project in 1990 and, although there were operational difficulties, the evaluation concluded that the appropriateness of plant design was broadly correct and that it had been well engineered.
- (e) The quality of the design and construction of the Pergau project in Malaysia, which is about 50 per cent. complete, is good. A comprehensive value for money check was carried out before signature of the contract.
- (f) Construction of the components of the Samanalawewa dam in Sri Lanka part-funded by the United Kingdom —the engineering design, the tunnelling work, and the construction of the powerhouse—were assessed through ODA monitoring visits and regular reports from the United Kingdom contractors during the implementation of the project. Value-for-money checks were undertaken on the tenders for this work. Construction work not covered by the United Kingdom, including the dam itself, is the responsibility of the Japanese co-financiers.