Bangladesh News

About Tk 2.20 crore was misappropriated in 12 Roads and Highways Department (RHD) projects under Bogra Road Circle during the last BNP-led government’s tenure, a preliminary investigation report of the department said.

Admitting the fact, Md Habibur Rahman, superintendent engineer of Bogra Road Circle, said the RHD officials were forced to issue work orders in favour of some pro-BNP contractors in 2004-05 and 2005-06 financial years although their bidding was higher than the estimated costs.

Habib alleged that officials at the Bogra Road Circle were forced to issue construction work orders, including that of Banani-Matidali Road, as per the desire of former BNP lawmaker Helaluzzman Talukder Lalu and his aide Mahfuz Siddik Liton.

Lalu was convicted in a graft case a few months ago and Liton was arrested and sent to Bogra jail for his alleged involvement in corruption and manipulation of tender.

Generally, bids offering at least 10 percent less cost than the estimation is considered in RHD tenders in Bogra, Habib said, adding, “If these 12 projects had been awarded as per this practice, Tk 3.40 crore would have been saved.”

But the pro-BNP contractors had submitted tenders, bidding 10-20 percent higher than the estimation, and the department was forced to issue work orders at those quoted rates, added the RHD official.

The estimated cost of the Gaibandha-Gobindaganj Road construction project was Tk 7,33,47,770 but the work was awarded for a bidding of Tk 7,93,41,081. The estimated cost of the Banani-Matidali project was Tk 2,48,49,487 but the work was given for Tk 2,68,80,561.

The estimated cost of constructing a 148.68 metre long bridge on the Chhoto Jamuna including approach roads in Joypurhat was Tk 3,98,31,654, but the work was awarded to the constructor whose bidding was Tk 4,37,45,662.

Habib said 10 similar projects have recently completed or are nearing completion.