The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) started investigations into the allegations of misappropriation of Tk 4,000 crore from the Shahjalal International Airport third terminal construction project.
ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain on Sunday confirmed the development to reporters at the ACC's headquarters saying that the cost of the mega project, which cost Tk 7,000 crore was increased to Tk 22,000 crore through irregularities, corruption and embezzlement.
The decision to investigate the corruption allegations was taken at a meeting of the commission on Sunday, Akhter said.
Akhtar also informed that the allegations of abuse of power, widespread corruption and fraudulent activities have been levelled against the project director AKM Maksudul Islam.
He told reporters, "It has been decided to start an investigation into an allegation that AKM Maksudur Rahman, the project director of the airport third terminal construction, and others have embezzled Tk 4,000 crore from the project through abuse of power, widespread irregularities, corruption and fraud."
When asked where the allegations of corruption were found, the DG said that various equipment used in the construction work was shown to have been purchased locally but was purchased from abroad. Again, allegations of irregularities and changes in the soil test and the loss of Tk 900 crore were found.
He also said that he had received allegations that three major works of the project were sold to other contractors and commission business also took place in the project.
The DG also said, "Although the tender for this project mentioned European-quality parts and equipment, low-quality parts and equipment were imported from China and Korea and connected."
In addition, the complaint also states that there were irregularities in the ceiling work of the terminal, and Tk 120 million wasted by doing unreasonable work to please former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
In total, there have been allegations of embezzlement of Tk 4,000 crore through a syndicate in this project.
On October 7 in 2023, the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. At that time, about 90 per cent of the work of the terminal was completed. Later, the entire work of the terminal was completed.
Earlier, the construction work of this terminal was inaugurated on December 30 in 2019.
The construction of the terminal cost Tk 22,000 crore. Of this, the government provided Tk 5,000 crore. The remaining funds were provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
