The Local Government Ministry has ordered the immediate suspension of a controversial Tk420-crore tender process for the supply and installation of rides at the Shahid Zia Child Park under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Alongside the suspension, the ministry has directed DSCC to review the allegations of irregularities and take necessary action.
On 6 July, TIMES of Bangladesh had published an exposé titled, “Corruption probe on: DSCC engr’s ‘escape’ to Shahe Alam’s hometown,” detailing how restrictive conditions were allegedly engineered to limit competition and provide undue advantages to three specific firms – Orion, UCC, and UDE -identified as beneficiaries during the Awami League administration.
Confirming the directive on Sunday afternoon, DSCC Chief Engineer Nur Azizur Rahman stated, “The tender activities for the child park construction have been suspended following the ministry’s instructions. A decision on the matter will be taken later.”
The tender submission deadline was originally scheduled for 15 July.
The TIMES report had revealed that 15 different rides were bundled into a single package. This, combined with stringent requirements – including Tk220 crore in similar work experience, an annual turnover of Tk440 crore, and liquid assets of Tk352 crore – effectively sidelined the majority of potential contractors.
The report further highlighted that the project director and superintending engineer (mechanical), Anisur Rahman, had attempted to block his transfer to Bogura City Corporation, though he was eventually released from his post a day after the news surfaced.
He is currently under investigation by a committee led by Rabiul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Local Government Division, regarding allegations of corruption, tender irregularities, and the abuse of power and public funds.
“We have commenced the investigation and will submit the report to the Secretary within the stipulated timeframe,” Rabiul Islam told TIMES.
On Sunday (12 July), a group of contractors submitted a formal application to the Minister of Local Government, seeking the cancellation of the existing tender conditions. They proposed that the 15 rides be divided into five to eight separate lots based on technical specifications and requested a revision of the eligibility criteria.
The applicants noted that these suggestions had been ignored during the pre-tender meeting. The contractors argued that a multi-lot approach would foster a more competitive environment, reduce government costs, and ensure the procurement of international-standard rides.
The contractors maintained that the mere transfer of the concerned official is an insufficient remedy.
They pointed out that the controversial conditions which led to Superintending Engineer Anisur Rahman’s removal must be amended or scrapped entirely. Without such reforms, they warned, the transparency and accountability of the public procurement process would remain in question.
