Local fund to be mobilized, PM tells JS

SANGSAD BHABAN: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday categorically said local fund would be mobilized to implement the much-talked-about Padma Bridge project if necessary.

“We will mobilize local fund to implement the mega project if necessary. We might be poor, but it is not impossible for a nation of 150 million people to collect fund for such project,” she said.

The premier, also ruling Awami League president, came up with the assertion while addressing the parliament in response to a supplementary question from independent member Mohammad Fazlul Azim during question-hour.

She said the governments of many countries, including Malaysia and many international agencies are interested to build the bridge on Public Private Partnership and BOT system.

The premier also apprised the House that the incumbent government would choose one best for the nation.

“As a nation we cannot accept the disgraceful decision of the WB with which we came to an agreement for Padma Bridge as they voluntarily showed interests to finance the project,” she told the house.

Hasina again outright rejected the World Bank allegation of corruption in selection of the consultant for Padma Bridge Project.

In the past the World Bank prescribed us not to give subsidies to agriculture, power and energy sector. But, defying the WB recommendation we continued subsidies to those sectors in our own economic interests, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, during her first spell in power in 1996-2001, her government had envisaged the Padma Bridge Project as Japan government showed interest to provide fund for two bridges on Padma River and other on Rupsha River.
 
She alleged that the subsequent BNP government suspended the construction of the bridge saying that they would not construct the bridge at Mawa-Zajira point.

“Whenever we have received any allegation of corruption in any project, we have sent those to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for necessary action,” she said.

BDST: 2135 HRS, JUL 04, 2012
Edited by: M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor