Absence of top officials slowing down BCC
At a time when the entire country is trying to cope with financial difficulties, things are getting tight for around 700 officials of Barishal City Corporation (BCC) -- but it is not simply due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Their situation arises out of a staffing issue. Almost three months since the transfer of former BCC Chief Executive Officer Md Israel Hossain, his position is yet to be filled.
As a result, administrative activities of the corporation has, in many regards, come to a halt.
According to BCC's administrative department, since Md Israel left in November last year, executive magistrate Imtiaj Mahmud Jewel has been temporarily assigned in his place.
But in absence of permanent personnel, official work has been delayed, which includes disbursing wages of all its employees.
Imtiaj told this correspondent that though he is filling in for the CEO, he does not have much executive power nor financial authority.
To add to the woes, just a month ago, the corporation's secretary Ibadat Hossain was transferred, creating a void in another important role.
City corporation sources, seeking anonymity, said many development projects are running deficiently due to the circumstances.
On top of this, members of BCC's engineering department informed that there is no chief engineer in their department, as incumbent Nurul Islam has been imprisoned along with former mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal in a corruption case filed 20 years ago.
Contacted, BCC Mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah acknowledged the issues to this correspondent. He said even though there is Tk 30 crore in BCC's fund, salary payment is halted in the absence of a CEO.
"All official letters, including financial decisions, have to go through the CEO. Due to the staffing crisis, BCC activities are being hampered," he said.
The mayor said he is in communication with the Local Government Division, the organisation in charge of assigning the new CEO, and assured that both parties are looking for a swift solution.
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