Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ordered a probe into the allegations
of corruption in the Padma Bridge project and actions against the
persons involved.
Speaking at a secretary-committee meeting at Bangladesh secretariat, she also asked all to let the government know if there are any other allegations about the project.
Her directives come in the wake of the Canadian authorities investigating Canada-based engineering firm SNC-Lavalin for corruption in its bid for consultancy work at the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge project.
SNC-Lavalin is among the companies short-listed for appointment as consultant in the project, the implementation of which is one of the major electoral pledges of the Awami League-led alliance government.
The corruption allegations regarding Padma Bridge are also under scrutiny by the World Bank, one of the financiers.
“The prime minister has directed those concerned to investigate the one or two allegations that the government has about the Padma Bridge project,” Cabinet Secretary Abdul Aziz told reporters after the meeting.
Hasina directed the secretaries to show zero tolerance for corruption and warned that the government would not tolerate corruption in any sector, meeting sources said.
She asked the authorities to follow the rules in issuing driving licences and urged people to abide by the traffic rules to avoid road accidents.
Recently, the shipping minister requested the communications ministry to issue 28,000 licences without any tests and examinations, which drew a huge criticism in and outside the government.
At the meeting, Hasina observed that the print and broadcast media should point out in detail the traffic rules to create public awareness about road use, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.
Expressing annoyance over the poor state of the roads and highways, she said maintenance and repair work have not been carried out in time as the communications ministry could not figure what should be done first with the funds available.
She asked the communications secretary to repair the roads immediately and priority-wise. In response, Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan said the ministry did not get adequate fund in time and for that could not do the necessary repair and maintenance.
To contain price hike of essentials, the prime minister ordered the commerce ministry to strengthen the market monitoring system and keep monitoring the markets round the year.
Voicing her concern over shrinking farmlands, she asked the authorities to make proper use of land by setting up separate zones for housing, industries and agriculture in every upazila. She also stressed the need for expansion upwards to save agricultural land.
Hasina emphasised encouraging non-resident Bangladeshis to invest in the country to reduce dependency on foreign funds, said the cabinet secretary.
Talking about the gas crisis, she requested all to practise austerity and directed the officials to ensure more involvement of Bapex in exploring natural gas.
The prime minister said she was satisfied over implementation of 92 percent of the Annul Development Programmes under different ministries and 87 percent of the cabinet decisions. She directed the secretaries to strengthen coordination between the ministries to do even better.
Efforts should be on to increase public service and draw development projects keeping people's welfare in mind, she observed.
She instructed the officials to help the education ministry implement the education policy and expand school feeding programme across the country to reduce the dropout rate, said the cabinet secretary.
She also sought cooperation of the secretaries to help the government implement its election manifesto.
Forty-eight secretaries of different ministries and divisions took part in the meeting and 24 of them spoke.
Speaking at a secretary-committee meeting at Bangladesh secretariat, she also asked all to let the government know if there are any other allegations about the project.
Her directives come in the wake of the Canadian authorities investigating Canada-based engineering firm SNC-Lavalin for corruption in its bid for consultancy work at the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge project.
SNC-Lavalin is among the companies short-listed for appointment as consultant in the project, the implementation of which is one of the major electoral pledges of the Awami League-led alliance government.
The corruption allegations regarding Padma Bridge are also under scrutiny by the World Bank, one of the financiers.
“The prime minister has directed those concerned to investigate the one or two allegations that the government has about the Padma Bridge project,” Cabinet Secretary Abdul Aziz told reporters after the meeting.
Hasina directed the secretaries to show zero tolerance for corruption and warned that the government would not tolerate corruption in any sector, meeting sources said.
She asked the authorities to follow the rules in issuing driving licences and urged people to abide by the traffic rules to avoid road accidents.
Recently, the shipping minister requested the communications ministry to issue 28,000 licences without any tests and examinations, which drew a huge criticism in and outside the government.
At the meeting, Hasina observed that the print and broadcast media should point out in detail the traffic rules to create public awareness about road use, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.
Expressing annoyance over the poor state of the roads and highways, she said maintenance and repair work have not been carried out in time as the communications ministry could not figure what should be done first with the funds available.
She asked the communications secretary to repair the roads immediately and priority-wise. In response, Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan said the ministry did not get adequate fund in time and for that could not do the necessary repair and maintenance.
To contain price hike of essentials, the prime minister ordered the commerce ministry to strengthen the market monitoring system and keep monitoring the markets round the year.
Voicing her concern over shrinking farmlands, she asked the authorities to make proper use of land by setting up separate zones for housing, industries and agriculture in every upazila. She also stressed the need for expansion upwards to save agricultural land.
Hasina emphasised encouraging non-resident Bangladeshis to invest in the country to reduce dependency on foreign funds, said the cabinet secretary.
Talking about the gas crisis, she requested all to practise austerity and directed the officials to ensure more involvement of Bapex in exploring natural gas.
The prime minister said she was satisfied over implementation of 92 percent of the Annul Development Programmes under different ministries and 87 percent of the cabinet decisions. She directed the secretaries to strengthen coordination between the ministries to do even better.
Efforts should be on to increase public service and draw development projects keeping people's welfare in mind, she observed.
She instructed the officials to help the education ministry implement the education policy and expand school feeding programme across the country to reduce the dropout rate, said the cabinet secretary.
She also sought cooperation of the secretaries to help the government implement its election manifesto.
Forty-eight secretaries of different ministries and divisions took part in the meeting and 24 of them spoke.