Implement Karnaphuli tunnel project thru open tender: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) expressed concern on Tuesday over the government move to award the construction work of Karnaphuli tunnel to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Ltd.
It also demanded immediate cancellation of the move taken by the bridges authority and implementation of the project through open tender.
Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, in a statement said, "It's a clear violation of government's procurement rules."
According to the reports published in newspapers, he said, this irregularity is taking place due to influence of direct political involvement which is unacceptable.
"Ultimately, the people will have to bear the burden of irregularities. On the one hand this is an expression of misuse of power and conflict of interest, on the other hand this is a nasty effort in spreading corruption by a foreign company," he said.
Mr Iftekharuzzaman said political commitment of the government was to establish good governance in all sectors of the country and stop the ways of corruption by ensuring accountability and transparency.
The government pledged to implement development projects based on skills, experience and competence by ensuring equal opportunity for all, including the private sector.
"If the construction work is awarded to any specific company with the influence of a former minister violating procurement rules and ignoring all other procedures and ethics, it will be tantamount to violation of the laws of the land and deception with the people," he added.
TIB voiced concern as the Chinese company has been blacklisted by international organisations.
Mr Iftekharuzzaman called upon the policymakers not to set bad instance of unethical deeds such as violation of procurement rules and immediately withdraw such decision and implement the project through open tender. He also sought the prime minister's intervention in this regard.
The government procurement rules state that any consultancy firm which was appointed for preparing the project cannot supply any goods for the implementation of the project or get involved in building infrastructure.
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