A CONSTRUCTION company found involved in major corruption is contracted for construction work at the University of Rajshahi and this only demonstrates that corruption prevention mechanisms are flawed and ineffective. Mazid Sons Construction Limited, known for irregularities involving Tk 26 crore in supplying furniture and household items for a project of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, is now accused of stealing the Rural Electrification Board鈥檚 electric poles. The company was contracted to build a residential hall at the university and it allegedly stole the poles for electric connections to the site. Although the poles, as witnesses say, are clearly marked as the Rural Electrification Board property, the company insisted that it got them from another company and would look into the matter. The university administration and the electrification board talked about investigating the theft allegation. The responses of all concerned are rather casual. That a company accused of a purchase scam in another government project won a tender and was awarded a project worth Tk 70.20 crore suggests high tolerance for irregularities and corruption.
In May 2019, the media reported on cost-related irregularities in the housing project called Green City of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna and the owner of Mazid Sons Construction Limited was later arrested in a related case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Purchase prices of various items to furnish apartments for the Russian engineers working for the plant were abnormally higher than the market prices. The reports claimed that each pillow was bought for Tk 5,957, and the cost of carrying it to an apartment was Tk 760. An electric stove cost Tk 7,747 and the carrying cost from the ground to the top floor was Tk 6,650. The government earlier formed two investigation committees to investigate the purchase irregularities. The High Court also sought inquiry reports from the housing and public works ministry on the alleged irregularities. A number of people, including government officials, were arrested, but all are now remanded on bail. No investigation reports were made public and cases have remained unresolved. More shocking is that a minister, also the general secretary of the ruling Awami League, that time tried to normalise corruption, saying that such 鈥榗orruption is the way of life everywhere.鈥� In what follows, it will not be mistaken to suggest that the government鈥檚 tender and public procurement processes are flawed and corrupt.
Non-fulfilment of the government鈥檚 commitment to zero tolerance of corruption has intensified corruption in the public sector. The contracting of a company accused of corruption is a proof of the impunity enjoyed by the corrupt, especially the politically influential quarters. It is high time that the government took the issue of corruption seriously, ensured credible investigation and brought all accused of corruption to justice.