A contractor reportedly has left the site, withdrawing nearly the entire funds allocated for a madrasa building construction project under the Education Engineering Department (EED) in Meherpur district, leaving the work unfinished.
The then Executive Engineer and some other concerned of the EED is implicated to facilitate this process.
Madrassa authorities and local people have demanded swift completion of the building and action against the contractor and the EED officials responsible.
The students of the Madrassa are facing difficulties as education activities are disrupting there.
According to an EED source, a tender for constructing a four-story building at the Karamdi Darus Sunnah Nesaria Dakhil Madrasa in Gangni Upazila of Meherpur was floated in January 2020 under the 2018-19 Madrasa Development Project by the EED.
The project, with an allocation of Tk. 3.24 crore, was awarded to a contractor named Anisur Rahman of Kushtia. Work began in July 2020, and the initial deadline for completion was set for April 2021, later extended to 2022.
By the revised deadline, only 75% of the work had been completed. But, the contractor withdrew almost all of the money, even PG funds, breaking the government construction rules.
According to EED sources, the contractor disbursed Tk 2.67 crore within the year of 2021. He withdrew Tk. 26.75 lakh on April 12, 2022 and finally, the contractor took Tk.16.15 lakh from the Personal Guarantee (PG) fund in 2023.
As per regulations, contractors can only withdraw the full payment upon project completion and handover. Refund of the guarantee amount occurs at a later stage.
The matter raised significant concerns and fingers are being pointed at former Executive Engineer Golam Muttakin, now posted in Narsingdi District. It is alleged that the Executive Engineer helped the contractor to get the money taken over a collusion.
Besides, due to the incomplete construction, madrasa students are being forced to attend classes in abandoned buildings or on the floor.
Abu Jafar, the madrasa principal, stated that the incomplete construction is causing severe disruptions to teaching activities.
He mentioned that students are missing out on practical classes and often have to sit on the floor, adversely affecting the learning environment.
Habibur Rahman, Assistant Engineer of the Meherpur EED, said he is unaware of the details regarding the disbursement of funds, as his role was limited to inspecting the site and providing reports to EED.
When contacted, the former Executive Engineer Golam Muttakin, now in Narsingdi, claimed he would coordinate with his previous office to ensure proper handover of the unfinished work.
When talked, contractor Anisur Rahman stated that the work was done by a subcontractor and that the madrasa authorities and the supervising officials certified the work as complete before he submitted the bill.
He claimed the funds were withdrawn following proper procedures and assured that any remaining issues would be resolved.
Nur Islam, the subcontractor, however admitted the incompleteness of the work partly and assured that discussions with the main contractor had taken place and that the remaining work would be completed promptly.
Rakibul Ahsan, the current Executive Engineer of the Meherpur EED, said he cannot comment on why the former engineer disbursed the funds before fulfilment of the works.
He said that he had repeatedly asked the contractor in writing to complete the work. He assured that he would inspect the site shortly and submit a report to higher authorities.