Ctg City contracts private firms for waste collection amid controversy
Contracts have been awarded for 27 wards, with private enterprises set to be appointed in the remaining wards. These companies will collect waste from homes, businesses, factories, hotels, and motels, charging residents and institutions directly
Highlights:
- Chattogram generates 3,000 tonnes of daily waste; only 2,200 tonnes are collected
- Private firms contracted for 27 wards; the remaining wards to follow
- Households to pay Tk50–Tk70 per flat, Tk25–Tk40 for semi-pucca houses
- Commercial entities to pay Tk100–Tk500; factories Tk3,000–Tk15,000
- Firms will remit Tk50,000–Tk100,000 per ward to the city
Chattogram City Corporation has shifted responsibility for waste collection in the city to private enterprises. Residents will now pay additional fees for the service, despite already contributing through municipal taxes.
Contracts have been awarded for 27 wards, with private enterprises set to be appointed in the remaining wards. These companies will collect waste from homes, businesses, factories, hotels, and motels, charging residents and institutions directly.
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Until now, the city administration employed 3,269 workers to manage waste collection. Residents argue that sanitation costs are already covered under their holding tax. They question why they must pay again, calling the new charges unfair and burdensome.
Official data shows that Chattogram produces approximately 3,000 tons of waste daily, of which at least 2,200 tons are removed. The remainder clogs drains and canals, causing waterlogging, foul odours, and health hazards across the city.
City officials say the outsourcing plan is designed to enhance waste management and ensure a cleaner city. The initiative addresses uncollected waste and aims to improve environmental and public health standards.
Hasan Maruf Rumi, spokesperson for the Chattogram Taxpayers' Protection Council, told The Business Standard, "We pay holding tax, of which 7% is used for waste management. There is no justification for charging residents again, even if private companies are engaged."
New fees and revenues
Households will be charged Tk50 to Tk70 per flat and Tk25 to Tk40 from semi-pucca houses monthly. Commercial institutions will pay Tk100 to Tk500, depending on size and activity.
Factories will pay Tk3000 to Tk15000 based on floor area, number of workers, and volume of waste. Hotels, motels, and restaurants will pay Tk2000 to Tk5000, while community centres must pay Tk200 for every 100 guests.
Companies will pay the city authority revenue ranging between Tk50000 and Tk100000 per ward. Last fiscal year, the authority collected Tk131 crore in sanitation tax, spending about Tk100 crore, including Tk 65.65 crore on salaries and Tk35 crore on equipment.
Allegations of partisan favouritism
The awarding of contracts has triggered allegations of political favouritism. Of 192 enterprises that submitted bids for 41 wards, 27 were initially selected. Residents claim many contracts were awarded to BNP leaders, activists, and supporters.
A review of 16 awarded contracts shows several were given to members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechhasebak Dal, suggesting partisan influence in the tender process.
In Ward 8, Shulkbahar, M/s Matribhumi Enterprise, owned by Jamir Uddin Nahid, member-secretary of Swechhasebak Dal, received the contract. Ward 7 West Sholoshahar went to SRS Enterprise, owned by former Jubo Dal vice-president Mohammad Ali Sakir.
Ward 34 Patharghata saw Nabil Enterprise, owned by Shahadat Hossain Nabil, joint convener of Kotwali Chhatra Dal, receive the contract. Ward 35 Boxirhat went to M/s Rimon Construction, owned by N Mohammad Rimon, joint convener of Swechhasebak Dal.
Ward 9 North Pahartali was awarded to Aqua Real Estate Ltd, owned by Humayun Kabir Chowdhury Rudra, former Dhaka South Chhatra Dal vice-president. Ward 10 North Kattali went to M/s Madina Enterprise, owned by BNP ward joint convener Md Alauddin.
Other contracts include Ward 5 Mohra to Niaz Morshed Khan, former Chhatra Dal vice-president, Ward 3 Panchlaish to Green Enterprise, owned by Jubo Dal leader Md Imtiazur Rahman, and Ward 36 Gosaildanga to Bin Fuad Enterprise, owned by Farhan Fuad.
Ward 37 North Middle Halishahar went to M/s S A Traders, owned by Shahinur Islam, Ward 39 South Halishahar to Limex Multi Trade, owned by Jamshed Hossain, Ward 4 Chandgaon to M/s Shah Amanat Trading, owned by Mostafa Md Jaber.
Ward 6 East Sholoshahar went to M/s Gausia Traders, owned by Shahjahan, Ward 2 Jalalabad to Nagar Seba, owned by Md Ziauddin Jaber. Retired Navy Captain Mohsinul Habib secured contracts for Ward 32 Andarkilla and Ward 40 North Patenga.
Responses to allegations
Humayun Kabir Chowdhury Rudra defended the process, stating, "The contract was awarded through a tender process following proper procedures. I do not understand why such allegations are being made now."
Jamir Uddin Nahid added, "I was awarded this work through proper channels. I have long been engaged in public service. Many are spreading confusion only to obstruct the work."
Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, the city corporation's chief waste management officer, denied political bias, saying, "We introduced a new policy to curb irregularities in household waste collection. Tenders were invited in 41 wards, and enterprises were selected at fixed rates. Overcharging is strictly forbidden."
He added, "I personally verified all 192 applicants and spoke with them individually. Only qualified enterprises were chosen. About 95% of applicants had political links, but excluding them for that reason alone would halt the city's waste management system."
He further stated, "Residents have already seen the benefits of this monsoon. If implemented properly, this initiative will transform the city's waste management and its overall appearance."
