World Bank awaits report on bridge project graft
World Bank said it was awaiting a report on graft allegations over a $2.93 billion bridge project
Dhaka: The World Bank yesterday said it was awaiting a report on graft allegations over a $2.93 billion (Dh10.76 billion) bridge project as Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina warned her government would not accept funds for the project unless it could prove the allegations.
"Canadian law enforcement agencies are currently undertaking an investigation into fraud and corruption in the Padma Bridge project," World Bank country director Ellen Goldstein said.
She said the bank needed to await further results from that investigation before deciding whether to proceed with its investment of $1.2 billion in the project.
The World Bank comments came a day after Shaikh Hasina asked the donor agency to prove the allegation of corruption, saying the government will not accept its fund for the mega project unless it could establish the accusation.
No evidence
Bangladesh had shortlisted five firms for appointment as consultants including Canadian SNC-Lavalin Group, but instead of approving the list the World Bank referred the matter to the Canadian authorities to investigate how the company got itself shortlisted.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), however, said it found no evidence of corruption in appointing consultants of the project but investigations were still underway into allegations of corrupt practices in appointing its contractor.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader last week said construction of the Padma Bridge would begin in a year despite World Bank funding being uncertain.
