Taiyeb Urges Quality Over Quota in Project Progress
Development project progress must not hinge solely on fund disbursement, and it is time to move beyond such practices, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and the acting official in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
He made the remarks on Friday while addressing the progress review meeting of ongoing development projects in Cumilla district, held at the conference room of the District Administration.
"Fund release is certainly necessary, but our main focus should be on ensuring the quality of work in development projects," Taiyeb stated. "We are aware that in many government projects, funds are disbursed, but the work remains incomplete. Everyone must remain alert to this issue."
He urged government officials not to rely solely on office reports, but rather to visit project sites if necessary and regularly verify the physical condition of the projects. "Contractors must be under constant observation. Without this, no real change will occur," he stressed.
He also highlighted common allegations against public projects, such as overestimation and deliberate delays that inflate government spending. "We must break free from these patterns," he said.
Referring to the ongoing destruction of topsoil, Taiyeb said, “It takes 25 to 30 years for topsoil to form naturally, and yet it is being sold to brick kilns. This must stop through strengthened patrolling.” He instructed strict action against land grabbers and those destroying topsoil. “If any political pressure comes your way, the government will protect you. You will not face pressure from the government for doing what is right. The government fully supports ethical actions by its officials,” he assured.
Taiyeb also directed officials to address traffic congestion on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway and the Cumilla–Noakhali regional highway, caused by market mismanagement. He announced that each upazila would have its own park and instructed that the banks of ponds and reservoirs in those areas be preserved to create pleasant recreational spaces for families. Law enforcement would ensure regular patrolling of such areas, he added.
National Consensus Commission member Badiul Alam Majumdar, as a special guest, remarked, “You are the most important people in this district. You are working hard, applying your skills, and spending government resources sincerely. Yet, people have many complaints and express dissatisfaction. The public is not receiving the services they deserve, and we are not achieving the desired level of development. We must all reflect on why this is the case.”
Officials from Cumilla’s Local Government Division, Roads and Highways Department, Water Development Board, Cumilla City Corporation, BADC, Directorate General of Health Services, BSCIC, and Directorate General of Family Planning discussed the progress and challenges of their respective projects during the meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Amirul Kaiser and was attended by project-related personnel from all government offices in the district.
