TIB research exposes tip of the iceberg

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FE Report
Upto Tk 50,000 has to be paid in bribe to obtain vehicle registration and applicants have to pay kickbacks of Tk 10,000 to Tk 300,000 per vehicle to be enlisted as bus operators within the Dhaka Metropolitan areas, showed a research paper Sunday.
The research paper was presented at a roundtable discussion on 'Role of BRTA and its Stakeholders in Road Transport System of Bangladesh: Problems and their Remedies' organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the VIP Lounge of National Press Club in the city.
TIB conducted the research between September 2007 and February 2009. Md Rezaul Karim, research officer of the non-government anti-corruption watchdog, presented the report.
Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Communications Secretary ASM Ali Kabir, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Kamrul Hassan and Shahjahan Khan, MP, representatives of road transport associations and labour organisations of the country and senior officials of BRTA attended the discussion, which was presided over by Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, chairman of TIB trustee board.
Speaking as chief guest, the Communications Minister Abul Hossain termed the findings of the paper objective. He said: "All-out efforts will be made to reach the services of BRTA to the door-steps of the people and establish a safe road management system."
A high-powered committee would be formed within seven days to remove existing irregularities and corruption in the road transport system, he added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, moderated the discussion.
The research paper said widespread irregularities and rampant corruption have overshadowed the country's road transport system, which accounts for about 13 per cent of country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"Activities of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and its stakeholders are questionable. Even BRTA has no control over trade unions and bus terminal committees due to political interference and absence of accountability."
The paper said 96 per cent of the drivers do not have any appointment letters issued by their employers. 61 per cent of them have obtained licences without appearing in road tests. And 54 per cent of them are driving vehicles with expired licences.
According to the research paper, BRTA has not played any effective role in vehicle control activities. There is no audit over the utilisation of money collected by the trade unions as fees, it said.
"Toll of Tk 10 to Tk 100 is realised from short and long-range commercial vehicles at 5 to 20 entry points to district towns and divisional headquarters and at road intersections."
Some traffic policemen also take Tk 300 to Tk 400 from luxury bus services for every outbound trip from the capital, it said. "About 90 per cent staff-time of the BRTA officials is spent on customer services. As a result, areas such as vehicle control, policy-making and coordinating with the stakeholders remain neglected."
Prof Muzaffar thanked BRTA officials for their cooperation in completing the research work. "We are pleased to see their willingness to bring changes in the existing system. Most of the officials we have spoken to have shown interest to embrace changes."
BRTA Chairman Kamrul said the evaluation of the performance of BRTA was needed, as the ministry never conducted such audit.
He acknowledged that bribe, corruption and irregularities existed within BRTA. "If we can introduce online service then the scope for bribe taking will go."
TIB also made some recommendations to build a modern and accountable road transport system. They include: Identifying challenges faced by BRTA through an independent and high-powered investigation committee, authorising it with registration and overseeing of the vehicle in metropolitan areas, strengthening it institutionally for coordinating all stakeholders, introducing one-stop and online services and providing digital driving licences within the shortest possible time.
About 1.2 million vehicle owners and over 0.8 million workers receive services from BRTA, established in 1987.
The organisation earned Tk 4.89 billion in the fiscal year 2007-2008.