Authorities turn blind eye

Sirajul Islam Shishir:

Even after publishing more than one news-reports by several media outlets including ‘The Daily Sky’ over the corruption allegations against the concerned contractors and Jafor Bayezid, the then Project Director (PD) of BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj, the higher authorities and even Industry Ministry officials have been played silent role over the issue due to unknown reasons.

But, the surprising matter is that, some responsible figures, whose were involved with the BSCIC Industrial Park implementation and plot allocation committees and observed important roles during hand over the Industrial Park to the concerned Industrial Ministry by the contracting firms have now opened mouth raising allegations of the irregularities as the corruption and irregularities of the project are becoming visible one after another. But, the authorities concerned have turned to a blind eye in this regard, insiders claimed.

Although, the plots of much-awaited BSCIC Industrial Park were allocated on July 30, the entrepreneurs have not yet been able to start work due to massive irregularities of the project implementers.

Saidur Rahman Bachchu, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sirajganj District Unit and also one of the important members of the BSCIC Industrial Park’s plot allocation committee admitted about the allegation and said, “The incomplete BSCIC Industrial Park has now become poisonous boils on the thigh for the plot receivers. The corruption and irregularities around the BSCIC Industrial Park will not be tolerated anyway. We demand exemplary punishment to the concerned contracting firms and relevant officials for their irregularities. The contracting firms in collaboration with the then PD Jafor Bayezid handed over the incomplete project to the Industry Ministry by managing some top officials in exchange of money. Then the plot committee handed over the plots to several entrepreneurs sans filling up the soil at the sites as per necessity and schedule. Therefore, the investors or plot recipients can’t establish their installations within the schedule time due to inappropriate plots. Most of the plots have been left by the contractor without maintaining level with the relevant roads. Now, each plot holder will have to spend additional Tk 50 lakh to Tk 60 lakh, if he or she goes to fill up the land with soil on own initiative.”

“Such incomplete work of the contractors is doubtlessly considered as strong evidence of the irregularities,” he said adding that, “This industrial park could be one of the most promising areas in the country. Entrepreneurs in BSCIC Industrial Park will get additional benefits due to the convenience of waterways, railways and roads. But the Ministry of Industries must take action against the irregularities and corruption that have taken place here by the contractor and relevant officials of the BSCIC. Otherwise, Sirajganj people along with the students and politicians will go for tougher movements in future to press home their demands.”

Meanwhile, a number of plot recipients including M Rejaul Karim Ranju, Saiful Islam, Hazi Md. Ekabbar Ali, Abu Sayeed, Atiqul Islam, Aminul Islam, Abdus Salam, Ranjit Kumar Sarker and Moznu Mollah have submitted written complaint to the BSCIC authorities seeking remedy against the irregularities.  They urged the authorities concerned to take initiative for filling up necessary soil at the plots to make those suitable for establishment of industries.

Industrial entrepreneurs and plot recipients say that, there have been widespread irregularities and corruption in the construction of Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park. The contractor and sub-contractors have fled leaving the works unfinished. BSCIC authorities, especially the then PD Zafar Bayezid, have handed over the unfinished project to the Ministry of Industries under false pretenses. Despite several allegations and media reports, the concerned high ups including local district administration have also pretended not to see the matter. No one of the concerned authorities paid heeds in this regard, insiders complained.

Locals complained that, the plot transfer committee has only performed its duties in name only. For unknown reasons, despite knowing everything, the officials and committee members have played mysterious role in handing over the unfinished plots of the unfinished BSCIC project to the entrepreneurs, which has now raised various questions in the public minds. As a result, industrial entrepreneurs are fuming with anger.

They alleged that, the BSCIC authorities and plot allocation committee have cheated with the plot recipients by handing over inappropriate plots to them without filling the required soil. Besides, there are problems over poor quality of road construction, water scarcity, ineffective drainage system and unfinished soil filling. In this circumstance, the entrepreneurs are facing a lot of investment risks.

The larger industrial park has been built by the Ministry of Industries under the supervision of BSCIC at a cost of Tk 719 crore at Satiantoli in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, also western site of the Jamuna river. There are plans to build about 570 industrial establishments on a total of 829 plots. Of these, 550 plots have kept for foreign investors, while 279 for domestic entrepreneurs.

After a long wait, the entrepreneurs have got allocation of their desired plots. But in reality, these plots have now turned into tumor for them as these are not suitable for industrialization.

Insiders said, even after passing stipulated time and several extensions of the work period, the infrastructural developments have been remained incomplete. There are allegations that, the contracting firm Arafat Construction and Western Private Limited, exerting Awami League influence, handed over the BSCIC Industrial Park to the Ministry of Industries without completing their works. Consequently, the entire industrial park is now plagued with one problem after another.

Industrial entrepreneurs said that, many plots have now turned into ponds due to incomplete soil filling. As a result, entrepreneurs are unable to start work even after getting plots. In addition, entrepreneurs complained that, even the minimum environment for establishing industries has not been ensured here due to water, gas and fragile drainage systems and even other weak infrastructures.

Owner of Sarkar Art Press Md. Sirajul Islam said that, “The authorities gave us ponds instead of plots. They may have mistakenly written the plot in the place of the pond. It is not possible to build a factory here without cultivating fish.”

Md. Shariful Islam, Owner of Golden Premium Well Mills told that, “The plot given to us has no similarity with the level of roads. There is gap of about 5 feet to 6 feet. So, it is difficult to start work in this condition. We, the entrepreneurs of Sirajganj, have the highest number in Block-B. We have learned from the authorities that, there is a shortage of about 5 lakh safety sand here. Now, we need Tk 50 lakh to Tk 60 lakh for fill up the depth by soil.

Businessmen claimed that, if infrastructure development is not completed quickly, investment here will be at risk and the government’s goals will be hampered.

While contacted through WhatsApp, Arafat, owner of Arafat Construction cut off the phone on excuse of busy.

Mahbubul Islam, Assistant General Manager of Sirajganj BSCIC District Office, admitted the allegation and said, “The contractor concerned has been asked to fill up the soil again in the places where less soil has been provided.”

He also declined to make any comment over substandard works of roads, drains and ponds (reservoirs).

According to sources related to the project, there is a possibility of creating employment for about one lakh people, if the BSCIC Industrial Park is fully operational. However, due to unfinished work, that possibility has now become uncertain.

It is to be mentioned that, the then PD Jafor Bayezid was a close relative of A.H.M Kayruzzaman Liton, Presidium Member of Awami League and former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC). Abusing his power, Jafor Bayezid grabbed the PD post against the project and looted over Tk 100 crores by grafts. Even after massive corruption allegations, he was later promoted as director for Rajshahi regional office at the BSCIC after fall of the AL government on August 5 that creates another surprise over the transparency of the concerned top authorities.