�Foggy� deal for fog lights

Over Tk 4 crore �misappropriated� as BIWTC procures 10 �dysfunctional� fog lights

Some officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) have allegedly misappropriated over Tk 4 crore by installing 10 Chinese fog lights instead of US-made ones in ferries on the Shimulia-Mawa and Aricha-Daulatdia routes.
Since their installation on June 5 this year, these lights could not be even made functional for smooth sailing of ferries during foggy weather, sources in the BIWTC said.
According to sources, BIWTC installed six fog lights at Aricha on June 5 and four at Mawa on June 10.
The total cost of the fog lights was Tk 4.5 crore, with each US-manufactured fog light priced at Tk 45 lakh.
However, the fog lights stopped functioning almost as soon as they were installed, and several letters were sent to BIWTC headquarters about the non-functional fog lights, but all went in vain.
Meanwhile, several field-level BIWTC employees alleged that the fog lights had not been imported from USA but from China. With China-made fog lights costing only about Tk 2 lakh per unit of light, sources claimed that more than Tk 4 crore was embezzled by procuring the low-quality fog lights.
Sources alleged that a section of BIWTC officials misappropriated funds, ignoring state and public interest.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan had directed authorities concerned for installation of fog lights in ferries, sensing a dire need for the same. Sources claimed low-quality lights were installed keeping the minister in the dark.
“Why do you need to report this? We are arranging for something to entertain you,” General Manager (Marine) of BIWTC, Captain Shawkat Sarder, told this correspondent.
When this correspondent asked him to explain what he meant by “entertainment”, Captain Shawkat replied, “Why do you need the supplier’s address. We will bear your cost as you come here after spending money.”
Captain Shawkat, also the Project Director, said a Chittagong-based trading company called Johny Corporation has supplied the fog lights to BIWTC. This correspondent failed to reach the owner of Johny Corporation despite repeated attempts over the past 15 days. Both mobile number and landline number of Johny Corporation given by Captain Shawkat are non-functional.

“The USA made fog lights are installed in 10 ferries,” Shawkat claimed in reply to a query.
General secretary of BIWTC Sramik Union Abdus Sattar sent letters to shipping minister, shipping ministry’s parliamentary standing committee chairman, shipping secretary and BIWTC chairman on November 23 demanding punishment against corrupt officials involved in procuring non-functional fog lights.
“The fog lights have been installed spending a huge amont of money to operate ferries during foggy weather. Unfortunately, these fog lights are not functioning. As a result, the government has lost huge amount of money in this regard,” he stated in his letter.
Meanwhile, Chairman of BIWTC, Mizanur Rahman, told The Independent, “We are fighting against corruption and we will look into the matter seriously.”
Ferry movements have been suspended for at least 31 hours last week. They were also suspended for hours on Tuesday and Wednesday due to inclement weather.

�Foggy� deal for fog lights

Over Tk 4 crore �misappropriated� as BIWTC procures 10 �dysfunctional� fog lights

Some officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) have allegedly misappropriated over Tk 4 crore by installing 10 Chinese fog lights instead of US-made ones in ferries on the Shimulia-Mawa and Aricha-Daulatdia routes. Since their installation on June 5 this year, these lights could not be even made functional for smooth sailing of ferries during foggy weather, sources in the BIWTC said. According to sources, BIWTC installed six fog lights at Aricha on June 5 and four at Mawa on June 10. The total cost of the fog lights was Tk 4.5 crore, with each US-manufactured fog light priced at Tk 45 lakh. However, the fog lights stopped functioning almost as soon as they were installed, and several letters were sent to BIWTC headquarters about the non-functional fog lights, but all went in vain. Meanwhile, several field-level BIWTC employees alleged that the fog lights had not been imported from USA but from China. With China-made fog lights costing only about Tk 2 lakh per unit of light, sources claimed that more than Tk 4 crore was embezzled by procuring the low-quality fog lights. Sources alleged that a section of BIWTC officials misappropriated funds, ignoring state and public interest. Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan had directed authorities concerned for installation of fog lights in ferries, sensing a dire need for the same. Sources claimed low-quality lights were installed keeping the minister in the dark. Why do you need to report this? We are arranging for something to entertain you, General Manager (Marine) of BIWTC, Captain Shawkat Sarder, told this correspondent. When this correspondent asked him to explain what he meant by entertainment, Captain Shawkat replied, Why do you need the suppliers address. We will bear your cost as you come here after spending money. Captain Shawkat, also the Project Director, said a Chittagong-based trading company called Johny Corporation has supplied the fog lights to BIWTC. This correspondent failed to reach the owner of Johny Corporation despite repeated attempts over the past 15 days. Both mobile number and landline number of Johny Corporation given by Captain Shawkat are non-functional. The USA made fog lights are installed in 10 ferries, Shawkat claimed in reply to a query. General secretary of BIWTC Sramik Union Abdus Sattar sent letters to shipping minister, shipping ministrys parliamentary standing committee chairman, shipping secretary and BIWTC chairman on November 23 demanding punishment against corrupt officials involved in procuring non-functional fog lights. The fog lights have been installed spending a huge amont of money to operate ferries during foggy weather. Unfortunately, these fog lights are not functioning. As a result, the government has lost huge amount of money in this regard, he stated in his letter. Meanwhile, Chairman of BIWTC, Mizanur Rahman, told The Independent, We are fighting against corruption and we will look into the matter seriously. Ferry movements have been suspended for at least 31 hours last week. They were also suspended for hours on Tuesday and Wednesday due to inclement weather.