, Dec. 1 -- Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday said the government's ambitious reforms to the public procurement system are temporarily slowing down the implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP), but the overhaul is essential to dismantle long-standing contractor monopolies and ensure greater transparency in project execution.

While briefing reporters after the ECNEC meeting on Monday, Dr Mahmud admitted that ADP implementation 'has not become dynamic,' despite what he called continual efforts.

"The old problems are still there. The biggest challenge is that people are now reluctant to take up the role of project director, and contractors are no longer showing the same level of enthusiasm as before," he said....