Padma Bridge questions

The Padma Bridge project holds an important niche in Bangladesh's infrastructural development plans. And so when questions arise about the alleged corruption that may have crept into its planning and implementation, it is a whole nation which is left worried. For two very fundamental reasons: one, the project aims at giving a boost to the economic basis of our society, a truth we cannot lose sight of, and, two, it is undoubtedly embarrassing when questions are raised about the integrity of those involved in its implementation. In light of the above and given the fact that the Canadian authorities are now investigating a Canada-based engineering firm on alleged corruption relating to consultancy work on the project, we welcome the move by the prime minister to order a probe into what has been happening with the Padma Bridge project. Such a directive had become necessary in view of Bangladesh's national interests being involved. With the country for years weighed down by corruption at various levels, it is important that we turn a new leaf. Indeed, that is precisely what democracy does for a society. It holds everyone to account. The prime minister's move, we expect, will swiftly resolve the problem through corrective measures being brought in. It is also important to note that following his unusual invitation to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) to inquire into alleged corruption in his ministry, communications minister Syed Abul Hossain has now solicited the aid of the Anti-Corruption Commission in looking into wrongdoing in his department. The sheer enormity of the allegations insofar as corruption in the Padma Bridge project is concerned is thus obvious. We therefore expect that even as the prime minister's directive for an inquiry takes form and substance, the ACC on its part will go all the way to unearthing every instance of wrongdoing with and about the project. In recent times the World Bank has expressed its worries about the corruption related to the Padma project. It therefore makes sense to argue with renewed force that all inquiries related to the project must be undertaken purposefully. Elements bringing a bad name to the country through their sinister dealings over the project must be exposed and punished.