WB panel 'satisfied' over progress in ACC probe

FE Report External panel of the World Bank (WB) has expressed its satisfaction at the overall progress so far made by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the probe into alleged graft conspiracy in the process of appointing a consultant for Padma Multipurpose Bridge project. Commissioner of the anti graft body, Mohammad Shahabuddin Monday disclosed the latest reaction of the three-man panel, saying that the expert team believes the ACC probe covers a wider area through its filing of the first information report (FIR) against seven persons in the graft conspiracy. "There is nothing negative or to be worried about in the reaction of WB that we've got a few days ago," the commissioner told the reporters at a briefing at his office in the afternoon. He said the team of internationally-recognised experts suggested the commission to carefully examine the country's existing laws, public procurement rules and acts before taking next course of action in connection with the conspiracy in the country's largest infrastructure development scheme. "They (the team members) also offered necessary technical assistance to the ACC investigators, if sought", Mr Shahabuddin said. Hailing the WB reaction, the commissioner said it will help gain people's trust in the commission. "We'll seek the panel's assistance whenever it is needed." Abut exclusion of former communications minister Abul Hossain and ex-state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury from the list of accused persons in the corruption conspiracy, he said they did not exonerate anyone from the charge. He said after filing the case in Padma Bridge graft conspiracy, the ACC has now got the opportunity to properly investigate the links of the suspected persons in the plot. "Those who were involved in the bidding process in the US$ 2.9 billion project will closely be interrogated," he said. The high-powered panel led by former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno Ocampo visited Dhaka twice last year to oversee the ongoing ACC inquiry. Two other members of the team are: Timothy Tong, former commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China, and Richard Alderman, former director of the UK Serious Fraud Office. Soon after the team's departure, the ACC filed the case against seven persons. Former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and state minister for foreign affair's Abul Hasan Chowdhury were implicated in the case as graft suspects. The persons accused in the case are: Kazi M Ferdous, superintendenting engineer (river engineering) of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), M Riaz Ahmed Zaber, executive engineer (bridge construction and maintenance) of Roads and Highways Department, Mohammad Mustafa, deputy managing director of Engineering and Planning Consultant Limited (EPC), Mohammad Ismail, former director (International project division) of SNC Lavalin Inc, Romesh Shah, former vice president (International project division) of SNC Lavalin and Kevin Walace of the Canadian consultancy firm. The report of the WB panel is very much important for the project as financing of the Washington-based lender depends on the green signal of the team. The global lender had cancelled its credit for the US$2.9 billion project on June 29 last, saying it had credible evidence of a corruption conspiracy involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and some private individuals. Later, the WB decided to revive its US$1.2 billion loan on September 21 after the government agreed on its terms and conditions.