TDS Desk

The Local Government Division (LGD) has approved a controversial foreign trip for five officials to visit the United States to learn the operation and maintenance of five mosquito-killing spray machines, which has raised questions about its necessity and value for public spending as the machines are typically operated by lower-level staff and the maintenance is contracted out to the supplier.

According to the tender documents, the contractor is responsible for operating and maintaining the ULV turbine mist sprayer machines for two years, eliminating the need for officials to gain operational knowledge.

Critics argue that the trip, slated for this month, contradicts recent government guidelines aimed at discouraging unnecessary foreign tours by public officials.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) purchased the five sprayer machines from Mohammadi Hardware Mart for Tk7.19 crore, with the equipment manufactured by the US-based Buffalo Turbine.

An additional Tk1.07 crore was allocated for their operation and maintenance under the tender.

Despite this, five officials have been nominated for the US trip – Abul Khair Mohammad Hafizullah Khan, a joint secretary at LGD; Maksud Alam, DNCC executive engineer (mechanical); Md Asif Iqbal, senior pest control officer; Fazlarrabbi, assistant engineer; and SM Wasimul Islam, assistant health officer.

Experts have labelled the visit a waste of public money, arguing that the officials could learn about the machines from the contractor’s team during the two-year maintenance period.

Tofail Ahmed, chairman of the Local Government Reform Commission, criticised the inclusion of such trips in tender agreements, calling them “nothing but a waste of money”.

“In most cases, senior officials are sent on tours that have no real relevance to their roles. These trips bring no tangible benefits to city corporations, as lower-level staff are the ones operating and maintaining the machines,” he said.

A DNCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that during a prior visit to the US, former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam had personally selected the machines at the factory.

DNCC Administrator Mahmudul Hasan defended the trip, saying it was part of the original tender agreement.  “The money for this tour was included in the contract. If we do not go, we cannot recover the allocated funds,” he said, adding that the officials selected would gain experience for future procurements.

However, questions remain about the need for such trips, especially when government guidelines call for stricter scrutiny of foreign travel proposals. The guidelines mandate the submission of detailed travel histories and advance planning to avoid unnecessary expenses.

The trip has reignited concerns over the misuse of public funds on foreign tours with dubious value, with experts calling for stricter oversight and accountability in tender agreements to prevent wasteful spending.