Adviser Asif Mahmud apologises over father's contractor licence
At around 11:30am today (24 April), Asif addressed the issue through a post on his verified Facebook page, stating that he was sorry for his father's actions and clarified the circumstances behind the licence
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser to the ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports, has issued a public apology over his father obtaining a contractor's licence while he is serving in a ministerial advisory role.
At around 11:30am today (24 April), Asif addressed the issue through a post on his verified Facebook page, stating that he was sorry for his father's actions and clarified the circumstances behind the licence.
"I would like to begin by apologising for my father's mistake," Asif wrote.
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He explained that on Wednesday night, around 9pm, a journalist contacted him to inquire about a contractor's licence issued in his father's name. After speaking with his father, Asif confirmed the matter to the journalist.
"After talking to my father, I learned that he had indeed obtained a licence issued by the office of the District Executive Engineer. I confirmed this to the journalist, who then made a post and a news report followed. As the issue has sparked discussions and criticisms, I felt it necessary to offer an explanation," he wrote.
In a bid to obtain contracts easily, a local contractor advised my father, the headteacher of Akubpur Yakub Ali Bhuiyan Public High School, to use his identity to obtain a licence.
"My father, acting on that suggestion, received a contractor's licence from the district executive engineer's office. Technically, any citizen can obtain a licence for business purposes. However, as I am currently serving in a responsible position at the relevant ministry, my father engaging in such a business clearly creates a conflict of interest," he wrote.
"Once this was explained to my father, the licence was cancelled today upon his request."
Asif further stated, "My father may not have understood the implications of the conflict of interest. Therefore, I am apologising on his behalf."
He also clarified, "No application for any work was submitted using the said licence during the interim period."
