Interim Government Uncovers Corruption in ICT Projects
The investigation committee formed by the interim government has revealed evidence of widespread corruption in 21 ongoing ICT projects. The findings show that items worth BDT 5 were purchased at inflated prices of BDT 20. Furthermore, a portion of the embezzled funds was allegedly funneled to the ousted Prime Minister's ICT Adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
During a press briefing held at the ICT Tower on Tuesday afternoon, ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury shared details of the investigation report with journalists.
The Secretary stated, “If this unnecessary expenditure had been avoided, BDT 7,000 crore could have been saved across the 21 projects. Additionally, ICT training centers were built in remote rural areas merely to satisfy the whims of ruling party MPs. Public funds were even used to produce films about the former Prime Minister's family under the guise of ICT projects. In several cases, project directors illegally assumed the role of chairpersons of tender evaluation committees.”
He further clarified that many of the officials involved are no longer with the ICT Division. “We have already dismissed 40 consultants from various projects. Starting in January, legal actions will be taken against those found guilty of corruption in project procurements,” he added.
The report highlights significant irregularities in projects funded by foreign aid, including the "Strengthening Digital Government and Economy" and "Developing Digital Entrepreneurs and Innovation Ecosystems" projects.
According to Chowdhury, “A total of BDT 65,000 crore has already been spent on these projects. We are now evaluating which projects are genuinely necessary and which are not. Projects that are beneficial to the public will be retained under the ‘Green Leaf’ initiative, while others will be discontinued. For instance, BDT 150 million has already been withdrawn from the EDGE project. While critical cybersecurity infrastructure development under this project will continue, it will now be funded as a grant from the European Union rather than through soft loans. Work under the EDC project has been canceled, and we have not renewed the contract with its project director.”
