The government has developed several monitoring modalities to closely observe the implementation of the seven fast-track projects, involving over $16.5bn, and ensure transparency in tender processes.
Apparently learning from the allegations of corruption raised by the World Bank regarding the Padma bridge project, the government now wants to keep the implementation of the fast-track projects spotless.
The projects are: Padma bridge; metro rail; deep-sea port; 1,320 megawatt Rampal Power Plant; Matabari 1,200MW power plant; 1,000 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant; and LNG Terminal.
The matter came up a couple of weeks ago during a meeting of the “fast-track projects monitoring committee,” chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On January 7, the set of 11 modalities will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for approval.
PM’s Principle Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “We want to introduce e-tender. Everyone will participate and that will definitely ensure transparency in the fast-track projects.”
According to the decisions made in the committee meeting, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will closely monitor the fast-track projects which, once implemented, are expected to reshape Bangladesh’s economic outlook, improve communication and accelerate GDP growth.
The ADB will also regularly recommend the first-track task force based on the monitoring outcomes.
One of the modalities follows an ADB recommendation that monitoring will be easier if the ministries and divisions concerned prepare budgets for projects.
Another modality says ministries and divisions will follow the public procurement regulations and contacts for procurement of equipment.
Tender documents should be transparent and matters would not be hazed in the tender documents.
The authorities would appoint several deputy project directors to smoothen operation of the seven first-track projects.
If necessary, the government can introduced e-tenders for the projects and publicise them in well-circulated dailies and on the website of Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU).
Progress of the first-track projects will be regularly uploaded on the website of ministries and divisions concerned with photographs, says another modality.
Project directors will look into the weaknesses of the projects under a critical ratio process, according to another modality.
In June 2012, the World Bank cancelled its financing plan for the Padma bridge project after corruption allegations were brought against some public servants.
Bangladesh eventually withdrew its request for funds in January 2013, just before an expert panel reported that the government had not carried out full and fair corruption investigation it had promised, and decided to implement the project with its own funds.
