QI Siddique dead

FE Team | Published: September 02, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Former secretary engineer Quamrul Islam Siddique, popularly known as QI Siddique, died of cardiac failure in New Jersey, USA Monday, according to a message circulated in the city by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), reports BSS.brHe was 63 and left behind a son, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. brHe actively took part in the country's liberation war.brQuamrul was a pioneer in developing the country's rural infrastructure and made significant contributions to upgrading water management both at national and global level.brHe was the founding chief engineer of LGED and later served the government in important posts in various capacities. brQuamrul served as secretary in the ministry of housing and public works and also as the chairman of Power Development Board (PDB). brIn his hand the country witnessed tremendous progress in expanding the irrigation facilities. He had introduced the 'rubber dam technology' to store water for irrigation in the dry season. brHe had also introduced GIS-based rural development planning network at the district and Upazila level and led development projects to build union and Upazila complex and roads network throughout the country widening a development horizon in rural countryside.brQuamrul also made contribution to urban planning and development and played a pioneering role in introducing hill-based technology for development of country's hill tracts regions. brHe was an excellent negotiator and dealt with almost all major donors' agencies like World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JICA, Saudi Development Fund, OPEC Fund, Islami Development Bank and IFAD on important projects.brQuamrul was the first chairman of Global Water Partnership for Asia region and was elected chairman of Bangladesh Water Partnership in recent past.brIn recognition to his outstanding contribution to nation building, he was awarded Poet Jasimuddin Gold Medal, IEB Gold Medal, Sher-e-Bangla Gold Medal, Engineers Gold Medal and JICA scholarship. brThe World Bank declared him the 'person of the year' in 1999.br