'I know the means of your earnings'
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday expressed serious dissatisfaction over poor maintenance of BRTC buses that reduces vehicles' lifespan, ultimately causing waste of public money.
Hinting at corruption in the state-run transport agency, the minister said he was well-aware of who's making money through what means.
Quader, who has been on the helm of the ministry for over seven years, vowed to implement “zero tolerance” policy against corruption in Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).
He was speaking at a views-exchange meeting with BRTC officials at its headquarters in the capital. Chairman Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan and other top officials were present at the meeting.
Quader said, “BRTC does not have a good reputation. Irregularities and corruption have long reigned supreme here.”
The incumbent chairman is trying to work on the problems, he said.
The minister said 600 more buses and 500 trucks will join the BRTC fleet within April. Currently, 921 buses out of 1445 are in operation, he said.
“New vehicles will arrive and commuters will get some relief. But for how long? I want to know for how long the vehicles will be operational,” Quader asked.
He said, “How many of us will refrain from using BRTC to make our own pockets heavy? We need to know today how many people are working with integrity.”
Talking about the poor condition of BRTC buses, the minister asked, “How much time did it take for the articulated buses to be in such bad shape?”
BRTC introduced articulated buses in Dhaka city in 2012.
“Are people of this country benefitting from importing vehicles, spending crores of money? BRTC is counting losses time and again. How long will this continue?” he wondered.
“I'm well aware of who is serving in which position and how much they earn. I know the means of your earnings,” the minister said.
“BRTC vehicles are damaged due to lack of repair and maintenance. So, Mr Chairman, as the [new] vehicles are arriving, select who will drive these and who will be in charge of management and maintenance,” he instructed.
Quader also directed the authority to provide a list of buses being operated under the lease system.
FAKHRUL 'A GENTLEMAN'
Later in the programme, Quader spoke to journalists about the political situation and called his political counterpart, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir “a gentleman”.
Quader made the remark amid speculation on change in BNP leadership following the December 30 national election.
“BNP will decide whether Fakhrul has failed to meet the party's demands. We don't need to poke our noses into this,” Quader said in response to a question.
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