Bangabandhu satellite's project director sacked

The government has removed Golam Razzaque, project director of Bangabandhu-1 satellite, for 'incompetence', said Tarana Halim, state minister for telecom.

The telecom division took the decision after it received a proposal to do so from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). BTRC Director Md Mesbahuzzaman has replaced him.

“In a meeting with Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy today, we placed the issue and he welcomed it,” said Tarana after the meeting yesterday.

Earlier on Sunday, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said the regulator sent a proposal to the telecom division to remove Razzaque, who had been leading the project since its inception in 2012.

At the meeting, Joy also asked the telecom regulator to not coincide the launch of the satellite with the country's Victory Day celebrations.

The BTRC had planned to launch the country's first satellite on December 16 this year. “The launch of Bangabandhu-1 satellite will be a piece of news of international importance. So, we want to celebrate it as much as possible,” Tarana quoted Joy.

About 75 percent work of the Tk 2,967 crore project has already been completed. French firm Thales Alenia Space is manufacturing the satellite. It will also launch the satellite.