Chattogram: A team of Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) today conducted an operation at Chattogram Water and Sewerage Supply Authority (CWASA) office and quizzed relevant officials regarding allegation of irregularities in its sewerage project.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a 4-member team led by Assistant Director of ACC’s Chattogram Integrated Office-1, Sayed Mohammad Imran, conducted the raid this afternoon and questioned the CWASA Secretary and Project Director of the Tk. 3,808 crore ongoing sewerage scheme. The ACC team visited the CWASA office after a physical inspection of the project site and engaged with the concerned director of the project as part of their probe into allegations of irregularities at a treatment plant of the sewerage project located in Halishahar.
ACC Assistant Director Imran shared with journalists that the newly built treatment plant showed signs of structural issues, specifically cracks, which were suspected to result from the use of low-quality materials. He noted that during the on-site inspection earlier in the day, many cracks were observed, and discussions were held with the concerned officials, including the secretary and project director, who acknowledged awareness of the cracks.
The project director reportedly informed the ACC that consultations with the project consulting firm had taken place, and chemicals intended to seal the cracks were sent for testing. ACC officials emphasized the need for expert analysis to accurately determine the cause of the faults, though initial observations suggested possible material quality issues.
Previously, in 2020, a mysterious fire incident occurred on the third floor of the CWASA building, which was suspected to be an attempt to destroy documents related to corruption and irregularities. Furthermore, the former managing director of CWASA, A K M Fazlullah, was embroiled in widespread allegations of corruption concerning several mega projects. During his tenure, ten mega projects were initiated, of which eight were completed at a cost of over Tk. 8,257 crore, while the two ongoing projects are being executed at a cost of Tk. 5,802 crore.