Government agencies’ deficiencies and failures in implementing the Annual Development Programme (ADP) are once again demonstrated by the data analysis conducted by the Planning Commission’s Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED). With fewer than 50% of the ADP completed in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, the programme’s implementation hit a three-year low. A report issued on Monday by IMED states that during the July–April period of the fiscal year 2023–24, the government spent only 49.26%, or Tk1.25 lakh crore of the budget allotted under the ADP.
The implementation of ADP is mostly determined by close and efficient monitoring of the ministries or divisions that carry them out, as well as the implementing agencies. Proper and quality implementation of project components within the approved cost and given timeframe becomes easy if close and effective monitoring is ensured.

However, if past performance is any indication, the incapacity to finish projects on schedule can be ascribed to protracted bidding procedures, irregularities and corruption, an annual increase in the number of new projects, contractor procrastination, inadequate project and fund management capabilities, and delays in land acquisition. It can also be partially attributable to projects initiated for political purposes.

Time and cost overruns is indeed a double whammy. Since a large portion of our development projects are financed by foreign investors, delays and overspending on those projects eventually lead to a hefty loan repayment. On the other hand, in many cases, implementation delays make it harder to realise the expected benefits of any project. For this reason, Bangladesh has been repeatedly slammed for its inability to complete most projects on time and under budget by international creditors, such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and regional policy think tanks. Even the fast-track projects are being completed slowly and at a low rate despite the government giving them extra attention.

In order to avoid the existing practice, the administration has to acknowledge the damaging effects of slow and poor implementation of ADP on the economy. It is also necessary for the government to improve its capacity to manage and implement development projects on time.