Wake up call for Power Minister

ISLAMABAD: In the late 1970s, WAPDA’s transmission and distribution system began expanding rapidly. During this period, a significant number of transformer failures occurred due to the poor quality of OLTCs installed at that time. After detailed technical studies and evaluations, the then Member Power, Javid Akhtar (late), along with his team, concluded that only the highest quality OLTCs should be used to safeguard the reliability of Pakistan’s power system.
Consequently, based on the collective wisdom of WAPDA’s senior engineers and experts, it was decided that all future transformers procured forthe national grid must be equipped with MR Germany OLTCs, which were globally recognized for their unmatched quality and reliability. Since then, every power and auto transformer commissioned in Pakistan’s network has been fitted exclusively with MR Germany OLTCs. The results speak for themselves: over several decades of operation, these OLTCs have demonstrated an almost zero failure rate, ensuring the stability and uninterrupted operation of the NTDC network.
Regrettably, certain quarters within NGC are now attempting, for reasons of personal interest, to introduce inferior-quality OLTCs into the system without carrying out any comprehensive technical evaluation. The criteria they have developed for new manufacturers appear to be skewed towards accommodating lower-quality equipment, which poses a direct risk to the reliability of the network. Further concern arises from the fact that the committee constituted by the Managing Director to evaluate this matter is headed by Mr. Taqqi, the then Chief Engineer Design, whose previous record includes proven involvement in issuing a letter in violation of the approval of the Deputy Managing Director, raising questions about impartiality.
In the above context, an inquiry committee was constituted by the then MD to probe into the issuance of criteria that compromised the interests of NTDC. The committee’s findings clearly established that the criteria issued by Taqqi-ud-Din, contained material deviations from the version duly approved by DMD (D&E). As a result, on the recommendations of the committee all the issued letters were withdrawn. However, being part of the corrupt nexus, Taqqi-ud-Din managed to evade any accountability for his fraudulent actions. Rather than facing disciplinary action, he was unjustifiably promoted to the position of General Manager.
It is alarming that the present MD NGC has once again re-constituted a new committee for developing criteria for new entrants, headed by Taqqi-ud-Din himself. The committee further comprises handpicked, non-professional and inexperienced members—acting merely as dummies—who lack even the basic technical competence required to deal with such a sophisticated and critical component of transformers, which is also one of the most expensive assets of the utility network. This clearly reflects a deliberate attempt to manipulate the process and promote vested interests at the cost of NTDC’s reliability and transparency.
Power Division’s top brass has been requested that, in the best interest of Pakistan as well as NTDC and in line with the principles of transparency, integrity, and merit, the existing committee be dissolved immediately and replaced with a panel of competent, honest, and independent experts to safeguard the company’s interests.
It has also been argued that for the past 50 years, WAPDA/NTDC has upheld the highest standards of reliability by aligning its benchmark with the globally recognized MR Germany tap-changer. Any future consideration of new manufacturers should only be allowed it their products demonstrate quality equivalent to what NTDC and all utilities in Pakistan have consistently maintained over these decades. New entrants, if considered, must be introduced cautiously in a phased manner – beginning with prototype trials at the lowest transmission level of 132 kV and observed for a reasonable period of no less than five years. This will ensure that product durability. Moreover, the prototype should be rigorously type test as per prevailing type test policy of NTDC before installation of the same in network. Ends