Muhith hopes WB to review decision on Padma Bridge funding
Dhaka, July 25 (UNB) - Finance Minister AMA Muhith renewed his optimism on Wednesday that the World Bank would reconsider its decision over funding the Padma Bridge project.
“We’ve had said at first the World Bank decision (on cancellation of fund) demands a reconsideration. We still hope the matter will be reconsidered and the disrepute caused to us would be withdrawn,” he said in an official statement.
Since the announcement of the World Bank decision, the Finance Minister said, the government has been continuing talks with three other development partners –- ADB, Jica and IDB -- of the Padma Bridge project.
“The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has already informed us they’re very much interested to implement the project and wished the success of the government in removing the barriers created to this end,” the statement added.
Muhith said Jica has also been on round-the-clock talks with the government in this regard. “Jica president is also holding talks with the World Bank to this end. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is also in discussion with the government over the issue.”
The Finance Minister said even though no allegation of corruption was proved on the Padma Bridge project, a high government official has already been sent on leave. Besides, former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain claiming himself innocent resigned from the cabinet for smooth progress in the investigation process, he added.
Reiterating his government’s statement on the much-talked-about project, Muhith said the government would start the construction work on the bridge within this year. Secondly, he said, the government wants to ensure that there will be no corruption in the Padma Bridge project.
The statement said steps had already been taken to start the construction of the bridge, but the process got disrupted when the World Bank apprehended corruption in the project implementation process.
Muhith said the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has been entrusted with the job to remove their suspicion and the ACC began its investigation into it in August 2011. “No corruption has so far been found in the investigation by the ACC…”
In October last, the World Bank suspended its promised US$ 1.2 billion funding for the Padma bridge project following graft charges.
The government earlier signed deals with the World Bank for US$ 1.2 billion, while with the ADB for US$ 615 million, with Jica for US$ 400 million and with IDB for US$ 140 million for implementing the US$ 2.9 billion Padma Multipurpose Bridge project, the country’s longest-ever bridge.
“We’ve had said at first the World Bank decision (on cancellation of fund) demands a reconsideration. We still hope the matter will be reconsidered and the disrepute caused to us would be withdrawn,” he said in an official statement.
Since the announcement of the World Bank decision, the Finance Minister said, the government has been continuing talks with three other development partners –- ADB, Jica and IDB -- of the Padma Bridge project.
“The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has already informed us they’re very much interested to implement the project and wished the success of the government in removing the barriers created to this end,” the statement added.
Muhith said Jica has also been on round-the-clock talks with the government in this regard. “Jica president is also holding talks with the World Bank to this end. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is also in discussion with the government over the issue.”
The Finance Minister said even though no allegation of corruption was proved on the Padma Bridge project, a high government official has already been sent on leave. Besides, former Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain claiming himself innocent resigned from the cabinet for smooth progress in the investigation process, he added.
Reiterating his government’s statement on the much-talked-about project, Muhith said the government would start the construction work on the bridge within this year. Secondly, he said, the government wants to ensure that there will be no corruption in the Padma Bridge project.
The statement said steps had already been taken to start the construction of the bridge, but the process got disrupted when the World Bank apprehended corruption in the project implementation process.
Muhith said the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has been entrusted with the job to remove their suspicion and the ACC began its investigation into it in August 2011. “No corruption has so far been found in the investigation by the ACC…”
In October last, the World Bank suspended its promised US$ 1.2 billion funding for the Padma bridge project following graft charges.
The government earlier signed deals with the World Bank for US$ 1.2 billion, while with the ADB for US$ 615 million, with Jica for US$ 400 million and with IDB for US$ 140 million for implementing the US$ 2.9 billion Padma Multipurpose Bridge project, the country’s longest-ever bridge.
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