Despite repeated requests by the Ministry of Power and Energy, the World Bank (WB) could not yet provide any consultant for the 450MW power plant project, causing delay in starting its tender evaluation process, reports UNB.

According to sources, the Power Cell, a Power Ministry reform implementing wing, which mainly deals with technical matters, received fresh PQ proposals on April 23, 2009 for the project.

The plant will be installed at a site adjacent to Bibiyana gas field in Sylhet.

The evaluation process of the PQ bids was to start within a week. But, the Power Division decided to appoint a World Bank consultant for the project to avert any controversy over the evaluation.

Subsequently, it pursued the Economic Relation Division (ERD) of the Finance Ministry to request the World Bank to provide the consultancy services for the Bibiyana power plant.

Earlier, the IFC had worked as consultant to the Power Cell for the previously invited tender for the same power plant. But that tender was finally cancelled by the immediate-past caretaker government on the plea of receiving a single bid.

Sources said finally the World Bank, after a long parley with the government, made a commitment about a month ago to provide a consultant for the project. But till date it could not send any name of the consultant.