Leave the unnecessary projects of A2I: Nahid Islam
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md. Nahid Islam asked to quickly drop the unnecessary projects of Aspire to Innovate (a2i) which is being implemented by the Information and Communication Technology Division. At the same time, he asked to take care that no complaint should come about the work of a2i.
The advisor gave these instructions while visiting the head office of a2i at the ICT Tower located in the administrative area Agargaon of the capital on Wednesday. Apart from a2i Project Director Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan along with senior officials of the project were present in the discussion. Young entrepreneurs of a2i presented their thoughts and views in this connection.
Md. Nahid Islam told towards the entrepreneurs that the initiatives taken by a2i should reach the people of the country. Innovative energy should be used. Mentioning that the youth of Bangladesh will be involved in the information technology sector; he said, if necessary, an advisory team will be formed consisting of all the Bangladeshi information technology experts who are working as vehicles in different countries of the world. Youth will be employed as per their suggestions.
Adviser commented that many people are doing good innovative works on individual initiative or group basis. if they are advised properly, they will also be benefitted. Nahid Islam said that several investigation committees have been formed on the irregularities and corruption of a2i, that the investigation process should be impartial and transparent.
Nahid Islam also said that the political trend that continues in the country needs to be reformed. Besides, the state structure should be reformed. Our state structure has become one centric, where the constitution has given the prime minister powers that are unlimited. We want to change this trend by discussing with experts.
Meanwhile, on August 20, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division ordered 14 senior officers and consultants of the a2i program to refrain from performing their duties. The next day, a three-member committee was formed to investigate the allegations against the five officials working in the a2i program, which have recently been raised anonymously on social media.
The President of the committee is an Additional Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Division Dr. Muhammad Mehdi Hasan. Two other members of the committee are joint project director Molla Mizanur Rahman and deputy secretary of information and communication technology division Md. Shaheenur Alam. The committee was asked to submit an inquiry report on the complaint within five working days. However, three more members were added to the committee on September 1 as they were criticized for forming this committee with themselves. They include one technology expert each from BUET and Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT) and one procurement expert from CPTU Auditor to identify the accused.
