Uncertainty looms over completion of Sanitation and Hygiene
Project in time

Special Correspondent:

Uncertainty looms over the completion of Faecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management Plant’s construction work implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) at Bonbaria area in Sirajganj in stipulated time due to massive corruption, irregularities and negligence by the concerned constructing firm.

As a result, agitation has spread out among the local conscious people.

The view of site

Though, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Executive Engineer of DPHE in Sirajganj claimed about 40 percent progress of the construction work, the real scenario is totally different, insiders said.

Sources said, the concerned construction firm in collaboration with the DPHE Executive Engineer Md. Rokonuzzaman has withdrawn about 25 percent of the bills out of Tk 131,899,296 (contract amount) by completing just 5 to 8 percent work in a year. Now, it is very difficult to complete the remaining work by the stipulated completion deadline on June 30, 2026. The work was started on January 1, 2025.

View of latrines

The government under supervision of DPHE and funded by Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has taken a project titled “Inclusive and Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene Project in 10 Priority Towns in Bangladesh. Under the project, the government sanctioned Tk 131,899,296 for construction of 1 no. Faecal Sludge and 1 no. Solid Waste Management Plant/System at Bonbaria area, also outskirt of Sirajganj municipal town. DPHE gave the work order to Dhaka based constructing firm M/S Noor & Co.

During a spot visit, this correspondent found that, a gate wall was constructed beside the Sirajganj-Kodda road and few structures including a office room have been set up at the project site. But, most of the structures have already been damaged due to lack of care. The doors of latrines have broken down. Some construction equipments were left there as abandoned. No worker or representative of the constructing firm was found there during the visit.

Locals said, due to disposal of municipal wastes and garbage at the site, stink spread out through air that hampers normal movements of the local residents and commuters. People cross the site after wearing mask on their faces and covering nose.

Seeking anonymity, an assistant engineer of the DPHE in Sirajganj district office said, “There are many problems centering the project. Dhaka based constructing firm is carrying the work by third party on sub-contract and has no headache over its progress. Besides, there is no proper monitoring by the authorities concerned of DPHE. Therefore, the work is going on at a snail’s pace amid massive negligence. But, no one is here to see the anomalies.”