Dhaka, Oct 17 Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Wednesday said whether the implementation of Padma bridge project would continue simultaneously with the investigation into the alleged corruption will depend on the second panel of the World Bank.
"Our demand is — investigation and implementation of the project should go together. Whether it will happen we will know once the second WB team comes (to Dhaka)," he added.
The minister did not give any date when the global lender's second team would arrive.
But Muhith said they would soon start the work on the approach road to the Padma bridge at Jajira point with the finance of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
He made the remarks at a press briefing on his return from Tokyo where he attended the annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF.
A World Bank panel to oversee the Anti-Corruption Commission probe into the alleged corruption left Dhaka Tuesday ending three-day visit.
The three-strong panel led by former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno Ocampo held meeting with the ACC and sought probe documents related to Padma bridge from the ACC.
Officials said that team is expected to meet with the ACC again in December or January. The panel did not say when they would submit their report, or whether they would hand any list to the ACC.
The World Bank on June 29 had cancelled its pledged $1.2 billion fund, claiming to have found 'credible evidence' of high-level corruption by government officials, SNC-Lavalin executives and private individuals for the project. But the government refuted the allegations.
Amid the government's persuasion, the Bank announced revival of the agreement on Sep 20 but said the final decision would be taken based on its enquiry supervision panel's report.
The World Bank on Oct 1 said it would send two teams to Dhaka this month to assess the government's measures to investigate 'corruption' in the project as per their condition to the government.
One of the two missions will evaluate the fairness of the Bangladeshi investigations and in conjunction with this assessment, the second mission will collaborate with the bank's co-financiers in modifying the project implementation arrangements to ensure greater oversight of procurement processes.
Muhith thinks the reports by the World Bank team will 'build the global lender's confidence'.
"The Padma bridge will be constructed. A misunderstanding arose. That's why I don't want to comment. The re-engagement of the World Bank is important. The discussion between the ACC and World Bank is running well," Muhith added.
Asked whether the ACC would file any case regarding the perceived corruption, he said, "It is a matter of seven days to lodge any case. The ACC will file case if World Bank provides them with proofs."
During his tour to China last month, Muhith said a Chinese-Australian joint venture company had showed interest to build Bangladesh's largest infrastructure project.
He, however, did not name the company.
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