The New Nation - Internet Edition

TRANSPARENCY International's Bangladesh Chairman the other day disclosed certain startling facts regarding water. Quoting Transparency International's 'Global Corruption Report 2008 : Corruption in Water Sector' the TIB chairman said due to mismanagement and corruption 30-50 per cent resources were wasted in water projects in Bangladesh. The process of corruption is deep-rooted and pervasive. It begins from floating of tender and is spread over the whole process of implementation. Functionaries in different ministries in collusion with the political power manipulate tenders in subtle ways keeping loopholes in documents. After tender invitations and awarding of jobs a section of bureaucrats tactfully influence the contractors to manipulate the works to be done and deprive government departments and the consumers of the required quantum of water.

Water-related projects like irrigation, river dredging and flood control involve the investment of huge amounts of money. But in no such project the entire work as specified in the tender documents are done properly. After doing half or at best, two-thirds work, contractors manage to get a satisfactory completion certificate and get their final bill paid. Contractors can come out of such a many-phased process because they keep the palms of the relevant functionaries suitably greased.

Because of the above types of machinations cost of water, especially drinking water, goes beyond the reach of the poor man. Sub-soil water level in Bangladesh in general and in and around Dhaka in particular has gone down alarmingly and the process has continued. So, to avoid a greater danger care has to be taken against wastage and mismanagement of water. Efficient water management is important also from the point of view of the environment. The reported corruption in the sector must be done away with for this.