The World Bank’s final investigation report on possible corruption in the Padma bridge construction project was “objective” but “not complete," Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Thursday.
“I will send my observations about the World Bank report on Monday and I will also request the bank’s officials to post the report, with my observations, on their website,” Muhith told reporters after attending a dividend-giving ceremony of Sonali Bank UK.
About the loan provider’s feedback on Anti-Corruption Commission's investigations, the minister said: “The World Bank’s main objection is why the former communication minister Abul Hossain was dropped from ACC’s final report.”
However, he did not elaborate on the contents of the report.
Johannes Zutt, the new WB country director, handed over the 11-page report, prepared by an external expert panel of the WB, to the finance minister on Tuesday.
ACC had filed a case against seven persons in connection with the scam, excluding the former communication minister Abul Hossain and former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury – both Awami League leaders.
Last year, the WB cancelled the $1.2bn worth of funds for the bridge project, and said it had proof of a “corruption conspiracy” involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of the involved Canadian firm and certain individuals.
Responding to a request from the government of Bangladesh, the WB decided, in September, to revive the loan after the government agreed to its terms and conditions.
However, the Bangladeshi government in January this year withdrew the loan request.