PM raises question over audit in WB

FROM JATIYA SANGSAD: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised question whether the World Bank itself face regular audit.

“WB is a bank, but I don’t know whether it is audited regularly,” she added.

The premier came up with the observation while delivering speech at the concluding session of the 13th parliament Sunday.

Sheikh Hasina said, “As a partner, we have right to know the performed works of WB officials and it should reveal those.”

“None can raise any allegation against me in the last three years but it is a matter of misfortune that WB cancelled Padma Bridge funding apprehending corruption where they have not invested yet,” she added.

The parliament leader again said, “WB first stepped forward to spoil the relation and later it cancelled funding with its others associates.”

On June 29, the World Bank canceled a $1.2 billion credit for a Padma bridge project with immediate effect, saying it had "credible evidence" of a high-level corruption conspiracy among officials of Bangladesh government.

“In light of the inadequate response by the government of Bangladesh, the World Bank has decided to cancel its $1.2 billion ... credit in support of the Padma multipurpose bridge project, effective immediately,” the World Bank said in a statement.

The Washington-based development institution said it had provided evidence of corruption from two investigations into the Padma bridge project to Bangladesh’s prime minister and other senior government officials in an effort to press for action.

BDST: 2118 HRS, JUL 08, 2012

Edited by: Abul Kalam Azad, Newsroom Editor