Padma row was political ploy: Hasina

Sheikh Hasina was speaking at the 55th convention of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.

“The game that was played with Padma bridge was nothing but a political ploy,” she said.

She did not, however, elaborate on the nature of this ploy.

After a long-drawn out dispute with the World Bank, the government withdrew its funding request with the global lender and is now going ahead with the Padma bridge with its own funds.

The World Bank in 2011 agreed to give $ 1.2 billion for the $ 2.91 billion bridge, but withdrew raising allegations of corruption in the appointment of consultants.

The government wants to begin the construction of the 6km-long main bridge in June-July.

Already the Mawa approach road construction has made considerable progress. The Mawa embankment is almost complete.

The prime minister called on engineers for their support in implementing various development projects.

“Enough of looking to others for support in everything. We’ll have to do our own work.”

She asked engineers to form ‘teams’ to support development projects.

Hasina told them that in its last meeting, the ECNEC had issued instructions to appoint local consultants alongside foreign consultants.

The prime minister lauded the role of engineers in the development and the economy.

“Your skills and sincerity will move the nation ahead,” she said. “We have to bring our engineering education up to global standards if we want to keep pace with globalisation. The government is willing to extend all support needed to do that.” She reminded that higher education for engineers was mostly funded by the public, and urged them to work in public interest. “You just work hard with your talent and creativity to fulfill people’s expectations. The government will always be at your side,” she said.