At the end of each government project, the equipments including computers, laptops, vehicles and other equipments, which are allotted for it, are in most cases remain unaccounted for.

In certain cases those equipments have no trace whatsoever. The issue, although have been discussed in the government high-ups for a long time, didn’t yield any result. Concerned project directors usually find ways to avoid responsibilities on the matter. Once a project ends, its director is transferred elsewhere, while in other cases, many keeps on using the vehicles, laptops for themselves.

There are allegations that many unscrupulous officials and officers of the projects leave the vehicles and equipments idle for a period of time and present those as ineffective only to relocate those one by one later. The remaining equipments are then auctioned off to clear the project premises.

Top government officials think concerned project directors’ failure to file timely reports is to blame for this situation.

Recently, while visiting a Fisheries and Livestock Ministry project which finished nearly three months ago, two vehicles and other equipments were seen abandoned in the premises. Inside the office, computers, laptops and other equipments were seen.

Ansar Ali, a security guard at the premises, told Bangla Tribune, “My responsibility is to make sure no intruders get in and take anything from here. But, if the project officers, who has extra office keys, comes and take anything, how can I stop them. Besides, how am I supposed to he is doing it on his own.”

In response to another query Ali said, “I have seen many officers using vehicles, meant for the project, long after it ended.”

“In most cases, family members of the concerned officers use the vehicles for their personal use,” he added.

A project director of a social welfare ministry project, requesting to go unnamed, told Bangla Tribune, “Allegations that project’s vehicles, computers are used for personal purpose at the end of projects are not entirely true. May be many people do, but even that cannot be entirely true. Because, sometimes on the face of it, it appears that project has ended, but a lot of official tasks remain to be done, which is why project directors use the vehicle.”

He also said, “Many a times officers work from home due to lack of workforce at the project office. May be that’s why they take computers or laptops home. I don’t see any harm in it.” 

The situation has been reportedly caught the attention of government top brass and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been angered with such reports, say people familiar with the matter.

She addressed the issue during a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Mar 19 and said, “The final report must be submitted within three months of project’s completion. Vehicles and other equipments, allotted for the project, must be handed over at the right places.”

When asked on the matter, Planning Minister MA Mannan told Bangla Tribune, “Those who didn’t return vehicles, purchased for projects, have been instructed by the prime minister to immediately do so.”

“There are many, who do not return project vehicles to the transport pool after the completion of each project,” he said before adding, “The prime minister said she is aware of where the vehicles end up after projects.”