Speakers at a roundtable expressed their deep concern over the poor governance that prevails in the country's city corporations, saying that the nexus between politicians and criminals took control of the activities of the local government bodies.
They stressed the need for proper empowerment of the elected representatives in the city corporations and establishment of their authority both in service delivery and development activities to overcome the 'horrible situation'.
They also said godfathers and criminals have established their supremacy in the important local government body and are involved in land grabbing, malpractices in transportation and control of the law enforcers by using the nexus.
Speaking as chief guest at the roundtable, Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Dr Selina Hayat Ivy said good governance can only be ensured through giving sufficient power to the elected leaderships in the city corporations and municipalities.
Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) organised the roundtable titled 'State of Cities: Rethinking Urban Governance in Narayanganj' at Brac Centre Inn in the capital. BIGD Executive Director Dr Sultan Hafiz Rahman moderated the function.
"The central government's absent mindedness in respect to the matter is responsible for it and it (central government) has allowed the system to continue only to promote the present political culture," she said.
She said the godfathers select their followers having a profile of criminal activities in the position of councillors in the city corporations and municipalities and spend a large sum of money on their electoral victory.
The NCC Mayor said they did it only to establish their full control in the trades of illegal drugs, jhut (garment leftovers) and land grabbing from where the kingpins receive big amount of money.
"Nothing can be improved unless the state-sponsorship is stopped," she added.
Local government specialist Dr Tofail Ahmed said the city corporation is now becoming a body only to collect revenue and other activities are being dominated by the people in the underworld.
"And people's representatives have become hopeless and they have nothing to do as the dominators are very powerful and have close link with the highly influential individuals of the government," he said.
Urban planner Mr Mubasshar Hussain was very critical of the activities of Rajuk, saying that the city development authority is the biggest land grabber of the country and it focus highly on land business by giving no attention to regulatory activities.
Economist and former adviser to the caretaker government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said development activities are being carried out in the country without paying serious attention to the issue of accountability.
"We often forget that accountability is one of the key indicators of development," he said.
He said nexus between politicians and criminals have brought huge financial return for a vested group and the nexus help establish their control over land grabbing and transportation business.
