Ministry decides to appoint Nuruddin Chy as new PD

 
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has decided to appoint AH Md Nuruddin Chowdhury as new Project Director (PD) of the much-anticipated third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). 

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the ministry on Sunday, chaired by Nasrin Jahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. However, there have been allegations of irregularities in the appointment of Nuruddin Chowdhury as PD.

An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) alleged that intelligence reports and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) clearance were supposed to be taken for the appointment of the PD, but these were not taken. In addition, seniority was violated.

CAAB sources said they are determined to start construction of the remaining 0.5 per cent works of the third terminal by this year at any cost. Three names have been proposed and sent to the Ministry for the appointment of PD of the Third Terminal project. They are Engr Subhashish Barua, Md Shariful Islam and AH Md Nuruddin Chowdhury.

Questions have arisen about the rationale behind the proposal to appoint a new PD for only 0.5 per cent of the works, excluding the existing PD, after 99.5 per cent of the works of the Third Terminal project has been completed. Those concerned fear that the operation of the Third Terminal may be delayed due to repeated PD appointments.

The contractual appointment of AKM Maksudul Islam on December 23 last year was cancelled. The appointment of PD required clearance from the National Security Intelligence Agency (NSI) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). It took a long time to obtain these two clearances. Later, Engr Zakaria Hossain was appointed as PD.
Currently, Zakaria Hossain has been given the current responsibility of Chief Engineer in addition to PD. In addition, the three have been proposed and sent to the ministry as PDs of the Third Terminal project.

People involved in the project, who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Daily Observer that due to the lack of a PD, the project work was stopped for three long months. The contractor and consultant's bills were not paid and due to fund shortage, the clearance of goods imported from abroad from the port was also stopped, sources added.

This resulted in a loss of about Tk 100 crore to the government due to late payment penalties on the contractor's bill as per the contract, late payment penalties for releasing goods from the port, increase in project costs due to delay in issuing work decisions.

CAAB chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan said it has been decided to appoint Nuruddin Chowdhury as the PD of the Third Terminal.