Probe to go on despite WB decision

After the World Bank cancelled its $1.2 billion loan for the Padma bridge project over allegations of graft, the Anti-Corruption Commission said it would continue its investigation into the alleged scam.
Talking to The Daily Star, ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman said, "Who will fund the project is not our concern. It is our duty to complete the investigation and it will continue until we come to a conclusion. We are resolute."
The ACC has been carrying out an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the appointment of a consultant firm for the bridge project. The World Bank, however, had blamed the Bangladesh government and the ACC for their reluctance to probe the alleged corruption and take action.
The bank cancelled the loan and said it had credible evidence of a high-level “corruption conspiracy” among Bangladeshi government officials.
Asked about the bank's accusations regarding noncooperation, the ACC chief declined to comment but said, "I did not see their [the World Bank's] statement. Until I get any official notice or document, I should not comment.
"Let me go to my office tomorrow [Sunday] and see," the ACC chairman added.
In September 2011 and in April 2012, the World Bank provided Bangladesh government high-ups and the ACC chairman with evidence regarding the “high-level corruption conspiracy” among Bangladeshi government officials, executives of the Canadian company SNC Lavalin and private individuals.
On the bank's request, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police launched an investigation and found more evidence that the Canadian company had offered bribes to some Bangladeshi government officials and influential people to get the consultant's job for the bridge. The Canadian police also arrested two officials of the company.
Following a request by the World Bank, the ACC too launched an investigation into the alleged scam earlier this year.
As part of the investigation, the ACC quizzed former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury alias Nixon Chowdhury, brother of ruling party lawmaker and Parliament Whip Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton.
ACC officials claimed that they might summon former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, former bridge department secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and several others during their probe.