Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stated today that triangular syndication among politicians, connected but
“In the road and highway sectors, policy formulation of development activities, government procurement systems and project implementation processes have been controlled in a manipulated way through the tripartite syndication among politicians, relevant bureaucrats and contractors,” he said. “This tripartite collaboration must be stopped,” he said while addressing a press conference at TIB’s office in the city’s Dhanmondi area. There, before, was published the findings of a research named “Challenge of Good Governance in Implementing Road and Highways Project.”
According to the head of the TIB, the nation has long institutionalized anomalies and corruption in the execution of road and highway projects through tripartite coordination, which has given contractors, bureaucrats, and politicians the chance to unlawfully accumulate enormous sums of money.
In addition to rendering constructed structures unsound and unsustainable as a result of irregularities and corruption, the cost of development work is rising, impeding project goals, resulting in significant loss, and misusing public resources, he continued.
The ‘Conflict of Interest Act’ was proposed by Iftekharuzzaman as a way to stop corruption, nepotism, and self-interest in all government operations.
He went on to say that the laws and guidelines governing the execution of road and highway development projects had to take this act into consideration.
According to him, corruption occurs when there is a conflict of interest in the triangular cooperation of contractors, connected officials, and politicians.
He suggested that those implicated in anomalies and corruption, including politicians, government officials, and contractors, be identified and held accountable.
Strict implementation of relevant laws, regulations and guidelines should be ensured at every stage of implementation of road and highway development projects, he said. All procurement related to the projects should be conducted through e-Government procurement (e-GP) process, he opined.
