Bamboo galore in public constructions!

The revealing pictures of using bamboo instead of iron rod in various government buildings expose the poor oversight of the public construction sector as well the grave danger we are living in. In two recent cases, it was found that bamboo sticks were used in constructing two school buildings in Pabna and Jhenaidah. The educational activities of the two institutions are seriously hampered as the teachers and students are facing the risk of likely building collapse. There have been numerous examples of such gross violations of construction code: using bamboo for fixing railway sleepers in Moulvibazar, using bamboo sticks instead of angle irons in a RMCH building, to name a few. 

Unfortunately, there is little initiative from the authority to address this dangerous situation.  The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) is entrusted with the responsibility of these public works. The dilapidated condition of public buildings clearly indicates the rampant corruption and overall poor governance mechanism in this vital government body. In most cases, local contractors usually get work by using their political connection. Hence the local administration feels further constrained to take any action against such illegal practices. In the case of Binnadangi Government primary school in Pabna, the school authority expressed their frustration as they dared not to protest the faulty construction of the buildings in fear of reprisal from the contractor, who was also member of the then ruling party. 

We urge the concerned ministry to look into this issue seriously. They should take immediate steps to repair these vulnerable structures. There is also an urgent need to revamp the governance structure in public constructions to check corruption and ensure safety.