Office locked, officials ‘missing’, protests on

The desolate Patuakhali Water Development Board office, snapped yesterday during office hours. PHOTO: STAR

This correspondent during a visit to the office at about 11 am yesterday (Monday) found five out of seven rooms locked, including that of the Executive Engineer, while about 200 enlisted contractors were demonstrating on the premises demanding his removal.

They alleged that the works were distributed among some 'selected contractors' for kickbacks.

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A good number of contractors told this correspondent that the officials 'fled away' fearing 'harassment' after issuance of work orders through 'underhand deals'.

Abdul Barek Howlader, a contractor, alleged that the Executive Engineer left his office on Thursday night after issuing work order (WO) to selected contractors, violating rules.

"He (Executive Engineer) issued at least 10 work orders (Wos) on the night (of Thursday) and left Patuakhali keeping the office under the disposal of Anwar Hossain, a clerk", he said.

The contractors said about 50 of them sent a written complaint to higher authorities on Sunday demanding action against the WDB officials for their alleged wrongdoing.

Tender for the works (Group No. 76 under notice No. 9) including construction and reconstruction of sluice gates and embankments and re-excavation of canals in seven upazilas in the district were floated on January 31 this year.

They alleged that officials including the Executive Engineer, Section Officer and Sub Divisional Engineer (SDE) did not come to office during day time since March 31 after they distributed the work to 'selected conductors'.

A firm (name not mentioned) submitted a quotation for construction of a sluice gate (No. 43/2(D) at a cost of Tk 48, 33,731 but the WO was issued to a firm which quoted Tk 50,71,927, it was alleged. The WDB will incur an additional expenditure of Tk 2,38,196 on this count, sources added.

A woman, who owns a firm, said she submitted a quotation (group work no 86 under tender notice no 9) for re-excavation of a 2.5 km stretch of Natua canal (under polder no-43/2(E). She claimed that she was the lowest bidder but the WO was issued to another contractor.

They alleged that the quotations were opened at night in presence of selected contractors and the WOs were distributed among them.

Such irregularities were done last year also when Tk 14 crore WOs were distributed among some selected contractors, they alleged.

After last year's alleged irregularities, a group of contractors had detailed the irregularities at a press conference and submitted complaints to higher authorities, but to no result, they alleged.

At that time, the Executive Engineer was absent from office for seven days after distribution of work.

When contacted with Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) Zahir Uddin at his residence yesterday, he declined to make any comment regarding the allegations.

This correspondent also tried to contact the Executive Engineer on his mobile phone (no-0170-883937). "The mobile can not be reached now" was the reply always.