Civil society orgs submit memorandum to adviser demanding cancellation of Ctg WASA MD’s contract

Leaders of several civil society organisations under the banner of 'Chattogram Anti-Discrimination Citizens' Society' have submitted a memorandum to AF Hasan Arif, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Land, demanding the cancellation of Chattogram WASA Managing Director AKM Fazlullah's contract.

They also called for a thorough investigation into the alleged corruption and irregularities during his tenure and urged authorities to impose a travel ban on him to prevent him from leaving the country.

The memorandum was submitted yesterday (15 September), at the Chattogram Circuit House by women's leader Jannatul Ferdous and youth organiser and CAB Youth Group Chattogram President Abu Hanif Noman.

The memorandum accuses Fazlullah of being involved in various irregularities and criticises the ongoing investigation into WASA's corruption for being under his supervision.

"It's absurd to conduct an investigation while the accused remains in office. No one would dare provide evidence of corruption while he is in power. He must be removed from his position for a proper investigation to take place," the memorandum states.

The organisations also pointed out that the government had previously decided to cancel all contract-based appointments made during the Awami League era. However, Fazlullah has been serving on a contractual basis for 16 years, during which the WASA was riddled with corruption.

"He has increased water prices more than 14 times, burdening Chattogram residents, yet one-third of the city still lacks access to clean water," reads the memorandum.

They further alleged that Fazlullah awarded the contract for a major sewage project to his daughter's company and that many of his associates involved in the irregularities have already fled the country.

Earlier, on 1 September, around 20-30 people staged a sit-in at the Chattogram WASA MD's office, demanding his resignation.

The protesters, under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Citizens' Society, gave Fazlullah a 24-hour ultimatum to step down. However, Fazlullah remained firm, stating, "I was appointed by the government, and I will not resign unless the government tells me to."

After he failed to resign within the given time frame, the group declared him "unwanted" at WASA on 3 September and announced continuous protests until he steps down.

Workers at the WASA office tried to remove the protesters, but the situation was later brought under control by the army. Despite this, the group vowed to continue their movement until Fazlullah's resignation.

On 7 September, the director general of the Local Government Division, Md Mahmudul Hasan, conducted an inspection in response to media reports regarding the allegations against the Chattogram WASA MD.