Climate Trust rejoinder on TIB report
Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) has sent a rejoinder to a news headlined “TIB finds mishandling of climate projects” published in The Daily Star on January 24, 2017.
We are publishing the shortened version of the rejoinder here:
“...While perusing the report, it has appeared to BCCT that TIB has pivoted its generous effort to a very narrow area of concentration with facts and figures which are not fully representative and hence this may create some confusion and have negative impacts among the public in general.”
“Firstly, BCCT has six thematic areas with major thrust on Adaptation according to the BCCSAP, 2009. Coastal belt and Aila-hit area are primarily the core area where BCCT has funded to combat the adverse effect of climate change. Had TIB carried on such survey in those areas, it might have some very deep insight on the efficacy of such projects. Moreover, it might have enriched BCCT with innovative suggestions. But, unfortunately, TIB focused on projects of local government institutions such as city corporation, district council and municipality which are not that much core or priority area of BCCT and hence it could not reflect the real scenario, achievement and performance of such projects...We find in the TIB report that the study was conducted only on 6 out of 108 projects under LGED and thus allocation for these 108 projects is Tk 353 crore while the allocation to the areas other than these are nearly Tk 2,000 crore.”
“The report stresses on political influence, consideration, nepotism or illegal underhand dealing in awarding the contracts but no facts or figures are stated there and such assumptions may negatively impact or belittle such a philanthropic endeavour of the government. It is also assumed that such remarks may truncate the availability of fund from Green Climate Fund and other climate funds which Bangladesh as an innocent victim of climate change badly deserves.”
“The report stated on the importance of feasibility study and public participation but with due respect, BCCT would like to add here that both feasibility study and public participation are addressed... In the report, we came to learn that implementing agencies charged Tk 8,000 to 10,000 for the construction of disaster resilient houses. During monitoring of various projects, the issue also came to the knowledge of BCCT and when investigated, it was learnt the dwellers for their own convenience spent that for extension in their houses...”
About awarding contract for implementing any project, the rejoinder said, “After, the project is awarded; the onus then lies with the implementing agencies for the selection of beneficiaries and contractors in strict compliance with the rules and regulations of PPA, 2006 and PPR, 2008.”
OUR REPLY
Our news was prepared on the basis of TIB's report.
TIB'S STATEMENT
When his attention was drawn about the rejoinder, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “In our report, we presented our findings only about those projects which we surveyed. We did not generalise it for all other projects.”
“Our study was conducted following due processes and methodologies, and we are confident that there was no flaw in our study,” he told The Daily Star.
“Before releasing the report, we shared the draft report with the relevant government authorities concerned and incorporated their comments and suggestions, and we are ready for further discussion, if they are agreeable,” said the TIB executive director.