ACC Probes Washblock Projects in Rangamati

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has conducted an operation at the Rangamati Public Health Engineering Department to investigate alleged irregularities and corruption in tendering, work orders and project implementation of several washblock construction projects. ACC officials collected project documents and inspected project sites as part of the investigation. They said the preliminary inquiry found instances where higher bidders allegedly received contracts instead of the lowest bidders.

The operation was conducted from 11:00am to noon on Wednesday (September 30).

ACC Rangamati Integrated District Office Deputy Assistant Director Sarwar Hossain, Assistant Inspector Abu Sadeque, Deputy Assistant Directors Mamun and Borhan Uddin, along with other officials, took part in the operation.

Officials said the operation was conducted to investigate allegations of bribery in awarding work orders and other irregularities and corruption in washblock construction projects being implemented by the Rangamati Public Health Engineering Department. During the operation, officials sought important documents related to the tender process, work orders and tender evaluations.

Parag Barua, Executive Engineer of the Rangamati District Public Health Engineering Department, presented the project-related files and documents to the ACC officials. Officials said the investigation found evidence supporting the allegations. According to them, some tenders had been awarded to higher bidders instead of the lowest bidders.

The ACC requested relevant records concerning the allegations. Some documents were collected initially, while the concerned authorities were asked to provide several more important records.

Sarwar Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of the ACC Rangamati Integrated District Office, said evidence was found supporting allegations of bribery and various irregularities and corruption, including the awarding of work orders for washblock construction. Some documents have been collected initially, while the process of obtaining additional records is underway. He said the project documents would be reviewed, while the washblock construction projects would also undergo field inspections and sample-based verification.

Parag Barua, Executive Engineer of the Rangamati Public Health Engineering Department, said all project files and documents requested by the ACC officials were presented to them. He added that the department also provided necessary assistance during the inspection of the project areas.

//DBTech/DJRP/SMP/DPO//