The New Nation - Internet Edition

Quamrul Islam Siddique, former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh, died of a massive cardiac arrest in New Jersey, USA on September 1.

He was 63. An architect of Rural Infrastructure Development and the founder of LGED Siddique held many important posts of the government. He was the Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing and Chairman, Power Development Board.

During his tenure as Chief Engineer of LGED Siddique introduced Rubber Dam Technology for dry season water conservation to meet irrigation demand. He also established nationwide GIS based rural infrastructure planning network for all the upazilas and districts.

He was instrumental in introducing hill specific technologies in Chittagong Hill Tracts Region. He was the mastermined of rural and urban infrastructure development in Bangladesh who championed the cause of implementing development projects and earned the rare goodwill for LGED as a model public sector agency.

He was the first Chairperson of the Global Water Partnership, South Asian Region in 2003 and 2004. Lately, he was holding the post of Chairman, Bangladesh Water Partnership. Quamrul Islam Siddique was also the President of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

During the War of Liberation of Bangladesh Siddique took active part in the freedom fighting.

He left behind wife, one son and three daughters and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his death.