Syndicates active in cheating people with false hope of jobs

Syndicates are active to cheat people through offering different kinds of jobs including labourers to the billion dollar Padma Bridge Project although its main construction work is yet to be awarded.

Almost every day, the project office is visited by leaders of political parties, mainly from the ruling party, showing their willingness either to supply workers or provide support to various works of the project.

Officials said members of parliament, union leaders, representatives from different non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and construction and materials supply firms continue their efforts to get benefit from the project.

They said in some cases, representatives of different political parties and organizations come to the Setu Bhaban without knowing the right place to knock.

 "We have come to know about many incidents of seeking money from people, mainly poor people, with the assurance of giving jobs in the project site," said an official preferring not to be named.

This correspondent also found political activists waiting outside the project director's office last week.

Project Director (PD) Mohmmad Shafiqul Islam, however, said many people come to his office for information they get from different quarters relating to workers' recruitment and getting jobs in the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMPB) Project.

Regarding recruitment of workers from different parts of the country in exchange of money, he told the FE that he also received such information.

The PD said the BBA has already circulated an advertisement in leading newspapers to make people aware of not to be misguided by anyone.

However, the PD said the Bridge Division has alerted the district administration of Munshiganj, Madaripur and Sariatpur districts in this regard.

In a circular published recently by the project office, it was informed that no recruitment for the project construction is being made. It also said if any worker is needed for the project, it will be done through advertisements and following necessary procedures.