Compensate for concocting Padma Bridge scam

Bangladesh feels that the World Bank (WB) should compensate the people whom they had harassed by bringing false allegations of corruption centring the Padma Bridge project.

"They raised false allegations and tormented a lot of people. Many were harassed as they became victims of their (WB) false allegations. The World Bank should compensate these people," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.

"They should seek apology by confessing that what they had done was egregiously wrong," the minister noted.

"The World Bank should be apologetic for what they did centring the Padma Bridge project," he added.

It may be mentioned that the WB, which had earlier agreed to fund the mega project, backed out from financing it, raising allegations of corruption against some top officials of the government.

Later, the government jailed some of the officials in line with the allegations but finally the WB withdrew the funding, prompting the government to carry on the project with its own resources. Bangladesh is now all set to inaugurate the much hyped bridge on June 25 next.

Recently, the allegations of corruption were found false by a Canadian court.

Asked whether Bangladesh would formally ask the WB to seek an apology, the foreign minister said that the bank should have the mindset to seek apology for doing a wrong thing.

"There is no hurry from our side. The bank should have the mindset on their own, as there is no harm in accepting guilt," said the minister.

Earlier, addressing a programme organised by the BIISS, the minister said Bangladesh would opt to reap economic benefits from the recently formed platform like the China-led Belt and Road, and the US-led Quad or Indo Pacific forum.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com