TIB concerned over proposal for indemnity for 3 ports' procurement

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the recommendation of parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of shipping to formulate an indemnity act for the procurement of machinery for three ports.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, TIB's executive director, said they learnt about the recommendation through the mass media and other reliable sources, and this proposal for the procurement of the machinery for Chittagong, Mongla and Payra ports is questionable.

If the act is formulated over the excuse of "existing act hinders development works" and "indemnity act is required to expedite development work" then it will be tantamount to the violation of the Public Procurement Act 2009, he added.

He said such act will create corruption and irregularity.

TIB also called upon the government to examine what procedure other modern countries follow in procuring machinery and urged them to refrain from formulating this indemnity act.

A gazette notification was issued last month saying a 16-member team led by the shipping minister would visit three countries to inspect six modern ports.