Padma bridge acid-test for govt: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB),Bangladesh

BANGLADESH NEWS

The World Bank’s cancellation of the US$1.2 billion credit as part of the US$2.9 billion Padma bridge project is deeply regrettable, embarrassing and disappointing, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Saturday.

The TIB's comments came hours after the WB cancelled the deal on corruption allegation.

The Washington-based bank on its website published on June 29 that it has decided to cancel $1.2 billion credit for the Padma bridge project with immediate effect, saying it has credible evidence of a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials.

The TIB also called upon the government to set up a fully independent special judicial committee to investigate the allegations of corruption and ensure exemplary punishment to those found guilty.

The graft watchdog body also called upon the WB to continue to engage with the government to assist the investigation process and keep the credit open parallel with the investigation process.

Reacting to the WB decision to cancel the credit, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman in a statement said, “The decision is not the end of the story of the government’s relationship with the bank in connection with the Padma bridge, but the beginning of a new phase.”

It comes as an acid-test for the government, which must demonstrate to the nation that it has the courage and capacity to bring to justice those against whom allegation of corruption has been raised and provide exemplary punishment, if found guilty, he added.

“We call upon the government to set up a special judicial committee with full power, independence and technical support, to investigate the matter and recommend action in accord with the relevant laws within a specific deadline,” he said.

The report of the committee must be published for public information alongside submitting it to the relevant authorities, the TIB statement said.

“The World Bank’s decision was in some ways expected. As a new-comer to the world of openness and accountability, which according to independent reviews constituted by the bank itself, has been found at least partially responsible for misuse of funds disbursed by it over the years, seems to have recently adopted a policy of chopping off the head because of a perceived headache,” he said.

He said instead of depriving people of the benefits of funds that the bank draws from global public sources, it should be more strategic and continue to engage with the government.

While investigations into the alleged corruption continues in Bangladesh and Canada, to which the World Bank should provide full support, it should review the decision, and find ways to provide the credit by sharing the responsibility as a key fiduciary agent of the project to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in the implementation process.

“Neither the World Bank, nor the government can punish the people of the country for an alleged crime of a handful of people,” Iftekharuzzaman said.

“The government’s initiative to secure funds for the Padma bridge from alternative sources may be perceived as a way to divert the attention from the allegation of corruption, but even if it succeeds, it would not help the credibility crisis that the government faces," the statement said.