Protesters failed to make the managing director of state-owned water supply company WASA to drink a “juice” made from the “drinkable” water in Jurain.
The protest was in response to Managing Director Taqsem A Khan’s claim that WASA water was “100 percent drinkable.”
The protesters from Old Dhaka’s Jurain were stopped by law enforcers when they tried to enter the WASA office at the capital’s Kawranbazar on Tuesday (Apr 23).
They stood outside the premises with the drink until they were let in and spoke to Wasa Director AKM Shahid Uddin due to the MD’s absence.
One of the protesters, Mizanur then offered the director the juice, which he declined saying that steps will soon be taken to resolve the situation.
“The MD’s claim is absolutely right. Because the water that we draw up is a 100 percent safe,” he told the protesters.
“Moreover, the water undergoes testing three times before being put in the reserve,” he added.
He said that if they do find anything wrong with the water, it’s purified through chlorine.
“I myself drink Wasa water directly in my home,” the director said.
Responding to queries about who will take responsibility if anyone listens to the MD and falls ill, he said, “I’ll take it. Wasa will take it.”
Mizanur Rahman, one of the protesters demanded that the MD steps down.
“Wasa director Shahid listened to us and assured us that the matter would be resolved soon,” he said.
He added that if that doesn’t happen, the residents of Jurain with the rest of Dhaka resident will wage a huge movement.
MD Taqsem Khan recently came under a lot of criticism for dismissing a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report and saying that Wasa water was a 100 percent drinkable.
The Jurain residents took offence at Taqsem’s claims and duly presented themselves in front of Wasa office to offer him the “drinkable” water.
The TIB report, in addition to pointing out irregularities and graft also said that 91 percent of Dhaka residents have to boil their water and over Tk 3 billion worth of cooking gas is used to boil the water.