Padma Bridge reels from complaints

The construction of the Padma Bridge will be delayed due to allegations lodged with the donors, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday.
“They [donors] investigate whenever any allegation or complaint is lodged with them… that's the reason for the delay,” Muhith said after Tamotsu Sinotsuka, outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, met him at his secretariat office.
All the necessary documents and papers of the bridge that were sent to the donors for their consent had got the approval. But, it had been put on hold in the wake of the complaints, the finance minister said.
It happened because Bangladesh has earned a reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, he said, adding “It is tough to overcome.”
Asked if there is any uncertainty over the construction work of the bridge, Muhith said the main donor World Bank and the co-financier Asian Development Bank (ADB) have their separate ineligibility lists, and the firms blacklisted by the World Bank are not necessarily on ADB's list.
“So, there are some technical hitches,” he said adding, “As awarding the contract for the main bridge is being delayed, the construction work is going to be delayed.”
Terming the complainers as the enemies of the country, the finance minister said some positive components related to the project such as rehabilitation work for the affected people is going on in full swing.
Muhith said the tender for an approach road with the financial support from the Islamic Development Bank will be awarded soon and they would be in a position to finalise the pre-qualification bids for the main construction work of the bridge in October.
“Then, it will take three months' time to finalise the main tender process,” he said, adding “We will have more detailed discussions on this issue with the World Bank vice president today.”
Muhith also informed that Japan will stick to their commitment in assisting Bangladesh for the $ 1.7 billion MRT-6 project. Japan is currently at the final stage of conducting a feasibility study for the project.
Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Tamotsu hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would strengthen further in the days to come.