Quader wastes no time
Calls high-level meeting of road transport ministry today; expected to issue important directives
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader is expected to give some vital directives to his top officials today, aiming to bring discipline in road transport sector and expedite ongoing projects.
Quader called a high-profile meeting to divulge his directives and messages, within a week of taking helm of the ministry for a third term, two officials said.
He called all chiefs of departments or agencies under his ministry, all directors of ongoing projects and zone chiefs of Roads and Highways Department today.
The meeting will start at 11am and is expected to have more than 40 high officials in attendance, they said.
The minister will inquire about current conditions of different important projects, and is expected to give necessary directives on the basis of priority he has already set, an official said.
Road safety issue will also be an important agenda of the meeting, the official said.
Another official said this is the peak season for construction work, and the minister is expected to ask project directors to expedite project works.
He said the minister already held a meeting with a limited number of ministry officials on Thursday, and vowed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.
He may give the similar message at today's meeting, he added.
Talking to journalists on Thursday, Quader said bringing back discipline in the road and transport sector will be his first priority.
Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, has been at the helm of the ministry for more than seven years. At a programme on October 22 last year, he admitted to his failure in bringing discipline to the road transport sector.
Blatant indiscipline in the road transport sector made national headlines when tens of thousands of students took to the street across the country demanding road safety, following deaths of two college students in road accident in the capital on July 29 last year.