Large-scale corruption occurs in govt procurement: ACC chairman

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said today that large-scale corruption occurs in government procurement, and called on everyone to be careful about this.

He made these remarks at the ACC's public hearing at Lalmonirhat Zilla Parishad auditorium this afternoon.

Government officials depend on contractors in implementing projects and this matter gives contractors the opportunity to take advantage and commit corruption, he said, adding, "The way contractors design the projects is the way they get approved."

The projects should not be prepared based on contractors' demands but rather it should be on the needs of the country and its people, considering the realities, he also said.

The needs of service recipients should be given priority, he added.

He further said, "Now, it is a good time for us. Now, we have to speak out against corruption. We have to say goodbye to corruption from our society and country. If we eliminate corruption now, there will be no scope for it in the future. This is the time for us to rise as a corruption-free society."

He continued, "Earlier, money had to be paid to the Prime Minister's Office. If money was not paid, the work would not have been done. At present, no money has to be paid to the Chief Adviser's Office. The ACC is working cent percent corruption-free. We will all say goodbye to corruption together. Now this opportunity has been created."

He continued, "Previously, money had to be paid to the Prime Minister's Office for work to be done. No work was done without money. However, at present, no money needs to be paid to the Chief Adviser's Office. The ACC is working with complete integrity, and we will all say goodbye to corruption together. This opportunity has now been created."

During the ACC's public hearing, a total of 106 complaints were filed against 33 government institutions in Lalmonirhat district. The ACC Integrated Office in Kurigram organised the hearing in collaboration with the Lalmonirhat district administration.