WB will eventually return: Suranjit

Dhaka, Jul 11 The World Bank will eventually 'return' to fund the proposed Padma bridge project at a time 'convenient' for them, minister without portfolio, Suranjit Sengupta, has said.

"We need assistance of all donors. The bridge will be constructed with the help of ADB, IDB and JICA," said Suranjit at a discussion held at the Public Library on Wednesday.

"We want to maintain good terms with all. The World Bank will also come back to us at a time suitable for them," he added.

Suranjit said that the World Bank's decision to cancel the deal to fund the project proved good for the people of the country. He, however, did not elaborate his contention.

The World Bank cancelled its contract to provide $1.2-billion loan to the $2.9-billion project saying it had credible evidence of corruption in the project. Another major financier of the project Asian Development Bank also followed the global lender by cancelling its contract to giving $610 million for the project.

Following the World Bank's withdrawal from the project, Prime Minsiter Sheikh Hasina announced that the bridge would be built with own money. The Cabinet took a decision in this regard on Monday.

Opposition BNP, however, has been campaigning that the government's plan to construct the bridge was not realistic.

Discarding the opposition's criticism, Suranjit said they all should come together for a national cause like construction of the Padma bridge.

The discussion faced a setback in the beginning as some people objected to it being held under the banner of the Muktijoddha Projonmo League, claiming them were the real leaders of the League.

"Muktijoddha Projonmo League's real President is Asaduzzaman Durjoy and General Secretary Obaidul Islam," said Shahidul Islam Nayeem identifying himself as the Organising Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan (South) unit of the organisation.

"We objected as they organised the programme under our banner," he added.
Later, the discussion began after tearing off part of the banner showing the name of the organisation holding the programme.

A man, Arun Sarker, presided over the meeting identifying himself as the Adviser of the Muktijoddha Projonmo Leageu. World University Vice Chancellor Abdul Mannan Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.