The sluggish pace of climate resilient infrastructure projects in Barguna has triggered the ire of the locals, who also claim that substandard performance by authorities concerned and poor construction materials were making matters worse.
Under the Coastal Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (CCRIP), the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) plans to construct a climate resilient road in Dhalua union and redevelop Barguna Sadar upazila’s Amtoly Bazar, which was nearly destroyed during Cyclone Sidr.
Both projects are part of the massive $150m-budget CCRIP, which is being implemented in 12 coastal districts since 2013. There is a 2018 deadline for the CCRIP, funded by Asian Development Bank, Germany’s state-owned KFW bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Bangladesh government.
But during a recent visit to separate project sites in the area, the Dhaka Tribune found that locals were frustrated about the slow pace and the low-quality construction materials for the projects in their localities.
At the site of Amtoly Bazar redevelopment, this reporter found that construction work was unfinished with worn out building materials stored beside the road.
A local shrimp farmer named Toffazel Hossain Moharaj alleged that the contractor had been doing an imaginary job at the site.
Every day, around 400 people come to the bazar which desperately needs an overhauling soon, locals said.
Around 20,000 people will directly be benefited if the infrastructure is constructed properly, locals told the Dhaka Tribune, adding that the advantage would be best realised during rainy season when traders and villagers would be able to access the market.
However, they expressed their disappointment as two damaged bridges – which act as access points to the bazar – were not included under the redevelopment plans.
Asking not to be named because of fear of reprisal, several locals told the Dhaka Tribune that they are unable to raise their voices against the substandard work because of influential political leaders of the area.
Meanwhile, visiting the site of the climate resilient road project in Dhalua union, similar public discontent was found. Locals claimed that low-quality construction materials were being used to build the 4km-long road.
Instead of creating a strong road surface, the different components being used became crushed into powder whenever rollers went over them, the locals said.
The chairman of Dhalua union, Ajijul Haque Swpan, however claimed that a top-notch job has been done for the nearly-finished project. “The work has been done well. The macadam is ready and only carpeting is left to be finished,” he said.
Commenting on the sluggish pace of the projects, Md Anwarul Islam, executive engineer at LGED’s Barguna office, said work had fallen behind schedule because construction had to be stopped during the rainy season.
When asked about poor construction materials, he said: “Low-quality ingredients have already been removed from the project sites at Amtoly Bazar and Dhalua union.”
Meanwhile, during Dhaka Tribune’s visit to the district, the only positive performance was seen at a newly-built cyclone shelter in Amragasia village of Pokra union.
Villagers said the shelter – once finished by the LGED Barguna office – will be able to provide refuge to around 10 thousand people of the area, which is vulnerable to cyclones that regularly strike the coast.
Unlike the other two projects, this reporter found that workers were busy at this construction site.
Ansar Uddin, one of the labourers working there, said: “The standard and the progress of work are both good here.”
