Anti-graft watchdog finds fund embezzlement, tender manipulation in Aspire to Innovate project

The project’s initial budget was Tk 4.85 billion but later ballooned to Tk 8.55 billion, says ACC

The Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, has found evidence of "massive" irregularities and corruption in the Aspire to Innovate, or a2i, project, which was initiated under the Awami League government.

According to preliminary findings, the project funds were embezzled through repeated contract awards to specific companies, unnecessary project approvals, and fraudulent invoices, the ACC said.

A team from the commission conducted a raid on Tuesday at the a2i office in Agargaon’s ICT Tower and seized several documents related to the project.

'EXTENSIVE IRREGULARITIES AND CORRUPTION'

Raju Ahmed, an ACC assistant director who led the operation, said: “We have found substantial evidence of irregularities and corruption involving 14 individuals at different stages of the project.”

He alleged government funds were embezzled through repeated contract awards to specific firms and unnecessary project approvals.

“There are also records supporting these claims. A comprehensive report will be submitted to the commission after a full analysis of the documents,” he added.

The ACC is also investigating possible links between the corruption allegations and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

BUDGET INFLATION AND TENDER MANIPULATION

The a2i initiative was launched in 2009 under the Prime Minister’s Office with funding from the UN Development Programme, or UNDP, to implement the Digital Bangladesh vision.

Following a directive from the former prime minister, the programme was moved under the ICT Division in 2018.

In 2020, its name was changed from Access to Information to Aspire to Innovate.

Following the raid, the ACC issued a statement revealing that more than 150 procurement tenders linked to the a2i project had been examined.

Investigators also interrogated officials involved with the project.

The ACC said the project’s initial estimated cost was Tk 4.85 billion, but it later surged to Tk 8.55 billion—almost double the original budget.

“The commission’s team collected records and documents during the raid to verify the details of the irregularities. A report will be submitted for necessary actions,” the ACC said.

It also alleged that specific contractors were awarded tenders violating Public Procurement Rules, or PPR, and project costs were inflated without valid justification.

The ACC believes funds were misappropriated in collusion with contractors.