The Padma bridge
A lot is being written about the difficulties of correcting the scandalous malpractices in the building of the Padma Bridge but I have not read the obvious - that whoever is in charge of the work, should be like the Chief Adviser (British) who built the Paksey Bridge, who was ready to get up at 2 O'clock in the morning to check that the quality of the cement going into the uprights was the quality specified by the designer and not a cheaper variety!
In every country and organisation, the quality of work is only as good as the people to whom the workers are accountable - or, failing that, their own consciences. There is a natural enthusiasm for high salaries but paymasters must surely not be shy of sitting down with those involved, whether seniors or juniors and explain, clearly and simply, how they are to EARN that salary and clarify the conditions upon which they could be dismissed.
The same Chief Adviser told me that he dismissed a truck driver who persistently refused to obey demands to drive slowly round a bend in the road used by local people for centuries as their pathway to the river. The driver was deeply shocked as he thought the job was his, however he did it!
It is good to see how, slowly, such accountability is being introduced but why does it seem to be slower in huge projects that have disastrous and expensive results when they are not properly carried out?
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