Barkatullah Marwat
PESHAWAR: Despite defects, the newly- constructed building of the district jail in Lakki Marwat was inaugurated by Minister of Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain during his visit to the area on October 8.
The prison was constructed at a cost of Rs170 million on 185 kanals of land in the District Headquarters Township in Tajazai. Sources said that prior to its inauguration, the officials of Communication and Works (C&D) Department and some local politicians were pushing the Prisons Department to take over the building, but the jail authorities were reluctant to do so due to certain flaws in its construction.
The jail authorities objected to its design and claimed the material used in its construction was substandard. The standard of the building material could be judged from the fact that one of its watch towers fell following a windstorm. It was later repaired but it put a question mark on strength of three other towers.
The sources said the water seepage had started from the tanks over the barracks and the toilets were also damaged. The electrification in the jail building was also not properly carried out. “When we try to switch on the bulb, the fan starts functioning,” an employee remarked. The sources said that about 26 contractors had been involved in the construction of the jail and now all avoid visiting it when called to carry out repairs in the building.
After publication of a story in The News on April 14, the C&W officials expedited the efforts to hand over the mega project to the Prisons Department.
The sources said Inspector General of Prisons Qudratullah Marwat also pointed out some defects to the provincial government during his visit to the jail. Subsequently, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti sent a Provincial Inspection Team (PIT) to confirm the flaws pointed out by the IG Prisons.
Interestingly, the PIT also confirmed the flaws in the building and noted that the material used in the construction of the jail was sub-standard.” It further stated that the design made by the C&W Department was not according to the one given by the Prisons Department.
The chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of the Communication and Works Department, during a meeting to review the developmental projects made it clear to the officials that use of substandard material in construction of buildings, roads and bridges would not be tolerated.
When contacted, the jail superintendent Gul Alam Khan said 141 prisoners had been shifted to the new jail and at the moment only 30 security personnel had been deployed. Regarding the capacity of the jail, the superintendent said about 500 prisoners and 150 jail staff in addition to 1,000 security personnel would be accommodated in the jail.
When contacted, Chief Engineer Usman Khan Marwat said without the approval of the jail authorities the C&W Department could not execute the project and alter its design. About the use of substandard material, he said the jail authorities and government officials could inspect the building of the district jail and point out the flaws.
Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain when contacted said: “I visited the prison and went inside the building and found everything in proper order.” He added that there might be some flaws in the building but all had been rectified.
Email: bumarwat@gmail.com
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