PADMA BRIDGE GRAFT ALLEGATION
Hasina denies family members' link
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks to CBC correspondent Terence McKenna during an interview.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected the suggestions that members of her family and party, Awami League, were involved with corruption in Padma bridge project.
In an interview with Canadian television CBC, which was aired on Thursday, she said that graft allegations regarding the Padma bridge project were not true.
“Personally I or cabinet ministers or my government is not involved in corruption. We are not here to make our fortune. We are here to help our people," she told CBC correspondent Terence McKenna.
The $2.9 billion Padma bridge project was put on hold after the World Bank refused to provide with funds following an allegation of "a conspiracy to exchange bribes".
Hasina dismissed the evidence of corruption conspiracy presented by Argentine Judge Luis Moreno Ocampo on behalf of the World Bank, terming it as not "substantial evidence".
“Time and again, we asked for evidence and papers from Canada, and also from World Bank. But we didn’t receive any substantial evidence at all.”
As the CBC correspondent, said that Hasina was given names of the persons involved and dates of the correspondences, asked what steps she had taken in this regard, she replied: “I gave it to the Anti-Corruption Commission and they started investigation.”
As McKenna pointed out that the ACC "recommended steps against all officials involved", Hasina insisted, "Our anti-corruption commission works independently. We never interfere."
"How then can you turn around and say that there was no corruption?" asked the CBC correspondent.
The World Bank itself said there had been no corruption, Hasina replied, adding: "Only conspiracy of corruption."
FAMILY LINK
McKenna, at one stage, pointed out that the ACC once accused Hasina for raising money through her sister, Sheikh Rehana.
"Here again, it looks as if, SNC-Lavalin was asked to pay money to your party, to your friends, to your family. Is that not so?" he asked.
“No, it's absolutely wrong. All concocted. Could they prove it in last two-three years? No."
'NOT A CASHIER'
The CBC correspondent pointed out the allegation that then communications minister Abul Hossain was raising money for the party, terming him as the "cashier" for Awami League, Hasina refuted.
“He is cashier? Treasurer? No!” exclaimed the premier.
She continued: “In our party, he is not the person to raise money. If anybody says so, they are wrong, totally wrong.”
TIES WITH WB 'NOT STRAINED'
She also said that the scandal did not strain the country’s relation with international donors.
“Other projects of World Bank in the country are going smoothly,” she added.
The premiere said the bridge is important for the economy of the southern region of the country.
“Awami League is working very hard to develop the country,” she insisted.
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