Our government, and the municipal agencies it directs, have constantly failed us in providing the basic public services that they were elected to administer.
The recent rain that we have seen across the nation has highlighted how poorly managed Dhaka's municipal services are, and how the government has failed to deliver on one of its primary responsibilities.
The capital continues to experiencewater-logging, with inadequate storm drains, resulting in sewage overflowing on to the street; and this is just the most apparent of the capital's municipal failings.
From where we stand, it seems that the government would do well to rethink its priorities. Instead of wasting its time with frivolous programmes that seem to do more to lower the standard of living of the citizens, they should think about how better to fund and manage these services, which have a direct affect on the lives of millions of the city's residents.
The specific authorities responsible for the provision of these services have claimed that the lack of activity in these areas is a direct result of a lack of funding to improve the city's necessary infrastructure; we understand that they may be short of funds, but that begs the question of why the frivolous "beautification" projects that are undertaken on a regular basis in the city, are continued?
The government should do more to make sure that the right kind of projects are undertaken in Dhaka – it is the capital after all; that the required funding is available; and that the projects are implemented in an efficient and transparent manner.
