Procurement a hotbed for major corruption in Bangladesh: ACC chairman

Public procurement remains one of the most corruption-riddled sectors in Bangladesh, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said today (21 April).

Speaking at the 173rd public hearing of ACC in Lalmonirhat, the ACC chief stated that development projects are often designed with contractors in mind.

"To curb institutional corruption, officials must prioritise the needs of service recipients and demonstrate greater sincerity in delivering public services," Momen said.

The ACC public hearing was organised by the ACC's Integrated District Office, Kurigram, in collaboration with the Lalmonirhat District Administration and the District Corruption Prevention Committee.

Deputy Commissioner HM Rakib Haider presided over the public hearing. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain and Superintendent of Police Tariqul Islam were also present. 

During the hearing, 106 complaints against 33 government departments in Lalmonirhat were addressed.

The ACC investigated three complaints that fell under its purview, resolved several complaints immediately, and instructed relevant officers from the concerned departments to resolve the remaining complaints within a specific timeframe.

The commission voiced its dissatisfaction with the District Education Office, the Department of Social Services, and Rural Electricity Lalmonirhat. 

Consequently, the ACC announced its decision to investigate several complaints concerning the Lalmonirhat Education and Social Services Office.

Service recipients from various government offices directly voiced their experiences of harassment while seeking services to the commission, in the presence of the service providers. 

The commission directed the service providers to seriously consider the majority of the complaints raised and expedite their resolution.