Power to the people!

Photo: Munem Wasif / driknews

Many Bangladeshis, including those with little schooling, are quite capable of supervising building sites to see that regulations are complied with, in the absence of competent officials, aren't they?
Why not make it compulsory to print clear building regulations on a notice board next to a building – or re-building - site, along with the phone number to ring if any errors are suspected. State on the notice at what times people can have access to the site. Have another public notice board where the 'official' observer has to sign (legibly) and put a date that all is well so that he/she takes responsibility.
Some time ago, you printed a story about a bridge being built in a country area and someone knew that every concrete pile had to have 10 metal rods. When the local people saw there were only 6, they forced the authorities to make the builder re-build it! Good!