China's no objection to steps against company

The government of China will have no objection to any action likely to be taken against the Chinese company if the inquiry committee finds it is guilty of the tragic accident in the BRT project at Uttara in the city.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming made the assurance as he called on Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) Secretary ABM Aman Ullah Nuri at his office on Thursday, meeting sources said.
He further said that his government would not be a barrier to the legal actions to be taken in accordance with the inquiry committee's recommendation.

The fatal accident took place on Monday when a heavy-concrete girder of the BRT project, which was being shifted by a crane, fell on a car, leaving five members of a family dead and two others injured.
The ambassador expressed condolence to the bereaved family members and wished early recovery of the injured people.
He also offered to provide necessary cooperation to the inquiry committee formed by the RTHD and informed the meeting that a high-powered team of the Chinese company
has been formed to investigate the accident on behalf of the company.
RHD Chief Engineer AKM Monir Hossain Pathan, Additional Secretary Neelima Akhter, project officials including Project Director ASM Elias Shah, BRT Company Managing Director Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, team leader of supervision consultant Teague MacReen were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the RTHD has extended the report submission deadline to seven days at the request of the committee, which was also reconstituted by incorporating Dr Mohammad Asif Raihan, assistant professor at the Accident Research Institute of BUET.
Additional Secretary (Urban Transport) Neelima Akhter has been made convener of the committee while Additional Deputy Police Commissioner (Crime) of DMP Muhammad Murshed, ADC Traffic (Uttara) of DMP Mohammad Badrul Hasan, BRT Project Director of BBA M Mohirul Islam Khan, Additional Chief Engineer (Dhaka Zone) Sobuj Uddin Khan and Superintendent Engineer of RHD (Feni Circle) Golam Rabbani are the other members.
During the meeting, Mr Nuri informed that the government would take legal actions based on the committee recommendations as it is necessary to ensure safety in all development works.
The preliminary report of the inquiry committee found that the company was working without any traffic alert and safety measures, and an approved work plan, which is supposed to be given by the supervision consultant and the project office.
Following some reports on continuing work at the BRT project site, the RTHD also issued a directive to submit a report after investigation in this regard so that all works remain suspended until proper safety is ensured.
smunima@yahoo.com