Though we are shocked and saddened by the fact that our dream of a bridge over Padma stands temporarily threatened by the WB's decision, yet we are glad to note that prospect of revival of the project still exists. At least that is what came out of the Finance Minister's press briefing on Sunday. It is very clear that the government is not closing the Padma Bridge chapter with the World Bank (WB) and wants the Bank to review its decision.
The government should also be commended for making public all its correspondences with the WB on this matter and the actions it has taken in response. However, it is one sided. We feel that it would have made the public privy to the WB correspondences.
Since there is the issue of 'credible evidence' asserted by the WB, which is 'not acceptable' to the government, it would have helped the public to know what the putative evidence the Bank had offered. This we feel would have helped validate the action of the government so far. That the "strict confidentiality" or the letter are WB property is not acceptable argument to us.
The ACC has also come public but again not entirely. That we are afraid begs the question as does its admission of lacunae in its laws that limit its operational capability.
The entire episode, predicated much by the definition of 'corruption' and 'credibility' has brought about a situation that has hurt the integrity of the government, blemished the image of the state and, above all, jeopardized our national interest. It appears that the government has been overzealous to protect a group of persons, especially one at the expense of the country's interest
We wonder whether the person at the center of the squabble should not have relinquished his position on his own or made to do so. That is where the government made a cardinal error. Nothing should have stood on the way to serve national interest. But something stood, and we are having to pay a heavy price for that.
The importance of the project cannot be overemphasized. We support the position that it should be revived. But before that happens, the government must address the concerns of the WB by removing those tainted by the allegations and have on board the project people with proven integrity and honesty. It must also hold a transparent and credible investigation. For its part, the WB should show more flexibility and understanding and help us start anew.
When the whole nation is reeling from the World Bank's cancellation of the Padma Bridge loan, we are perplexed by Communications Minister Obaidul Quader's promise to spring a 'surprise' on the Padma bridge project. While the finance minister expresses his hope that the WB should see fit to review its decision, Quader claims that alternative funding the cost of which would be cheaper than WB rates is being negotiated.
Quader's comment is clearly at variance with the finance minister's attempt to revive the deal with the WB. We find this lack of coordination disturbing. Therefore, we think a minister with such an important portfolio as communications should speak with circumspection and responsibility especially when he is passing comments about issues of extreme national importance.
As for the dramatic 'surprise' up his sleeves, we would like to say that we are clearly suffering from big surprises and have no stomach for any more. If he has specific data about the cost-benefit analysis of alternative funding with Malaysia or with any other country or organization, he should make that information public when something tangible has been firmed up or worked out. That would give us enough data to compare with the WB's pledge and judge which is better for us.
Let's reiterate that the Padma Bridge project is an integral part of the country's infrastructural development and is a matter far too serious to be dealt with in a cavalier fashion. Nor is any degree of non-coordination between the communications and finance ministers desirable at this critical juncture.
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