Dhaka, May 10 Communications minister Obaidul Quader said on Thursday that the government would not sit idle if the World Bank's suspension on funding the Padma Bridge project remain on alleged corruption.
In reaction to media reports that the lending agency has handed over proof of corruption, including the names of those responsible, to the finance minister, Quader also said if the World Bank wish they could probe into the alleged corruption.
"If the World Bank's suspension of fund exceeds the tenure of the incumbent government, it will not sit idle. The government is pledge bound to the people to construct the Padma bridge. We do not have even a single moment to waste," he told reporters.
"We are continuing talks with the Malaysian government. The bridge will be built on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis."
The government signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia last month to start the construction of the bridge within the tenure of this government.
Quader said that the World Bank could fund the second Padma bridge if it wanted to.
The World Bank pledged $ 1.2 billion fund for the $ 2.9 billion Padma Bridge project, but suspended it last year alleging corruption in appointing consultants. Funding by other lenders also halted due to this.
After investigation into the WB allegation, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission said it did not find any evidence of anomalies in pre-qualification bidding in the project.
However, media reports said the WB has handed over a report on the alleged corruption to the finance minister, where it reportedly given specific evidences and names of the persons involved with the alleged irregularities.
On a question regarding this, communications minister said, "The Anti Corruption Commission is the highest body in Bangladesh to probe grafts. They investigated the allegation and found nothing."
"Even then, if the World Bank has any other documents, it is the ACC that has the authority to evaluate those. And if the World Bank wishes they can probe by themselves," Quader added.
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