Dhaka North to publish all project info online to ensure accountability
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Ejaz warns that contractors’ payments would be withheld if substandard materials are used
The Dhaka North City Corporation will publish detailed information about all its development projects on its official website to ensure transparency and accountability, the corporation's Administrator Mohammad Ejaz said yesterday.
"Details about each project, including start and end dates, budget allocation, and construction materials, will be available on Dhaka North's website. When people are informed, they can demand accountability," he said at an inauguration and public hearing event today (28 April).
He announced that information regarding the construction of 4km of roads, 5km of drainage systems, and 1.5km of footpaths in Ward 14 — covering West Shewrapara, West Kazipara, and Senpara Parbata — would be made publicly accessible.
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Highlighting the need for public oversight, Ejaz cited an unannounced inspection last week in Ward 42, where he discovered that a road's key wall, supposed to be built with stone pillars, was instead constructed using bricks.
"It is a major corruption. If the public doesn't know what materials are supposed to be used, corruption becomes easier," he said.
Emphasising citizen empowerment, he added, "The more information is shared and made public, the more effectively citizens can hold us accountable."
Ejaz also warned contractors that payments would be withheld if substandard materials were used. He said the contractors involved in the Ward 42 project had assured the wall would be rebuilt with the correct materials.
Ejaz further noted that Dhaka North had been receiving support from local societies and socio-cultural organisations. "To enhance public participation, I am holding public hearings in different wards and connecting with Bangladeshis at home and abroad through monthly Facebook Live sessions."
Turning to administrative issues, Ejaz criticised the previous city administration for spending Tk4 crore on developing the "Sobar Dhaka" mobile app without handing over its passwords to the current team.
"If necessary, we will take legal action to gain access," he warned.
Addressing urban management challenges, he announced plans to remove illegal hawkers and unauthorised auto-rickshaws from the main road around Mirpur-10 Circle.
"People's right to free movement comes first. We will create platforms for rehabilitating those involved in informal professions, offering alternative arrangements," he said.
