KAMALNAGAR, LAXMIPUR, May 12: Severe manpower shortage at the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) office in Kamalnagar Upazila of Laxmipur has seriously disrupted administrative activities and development project implementation.
According to office sources, the LGED office has 21 sanctioned posts, but only 10 officials and staff are currently working.
The remaining 11 posts remain vacant, causing delays in project supervision, monitoring and execution.
The office has one assistant engineer in place of four sub-assistant engineer posts. Key positions such as surveyor, computer operator, accountant and community organiser have remained vacant for a long time. Out of five work assistants, only two are currently employed. Even essential positions like office assistant and security guard are also vacant.
As a result, a single engineer and a handful of staff members are struggling to manage the workload, severely affecting day-to-day operations.
Local representatives said development projects in the area are not progressing at the expected pace due to the shortage of manpower, negatively impacting government development activities.
Service seekers complained that even minor tasks require repeated visits to the office. Due to excessive workload, file processing is delayed. Lack of regular field supervision has also raised concerns over the quality of roads, bridges and culverts under construction.
Officials working at the office said the workload has increased several times due to the shortage of staff. Contractors are facing delays in receiving payments, further slowing down project completion.
Several contractors, including Harunur Rashid and Gofran Mia, said delayed bill payments are affecting project execution and increasing their financial losses.
Upazila Engineer Abdul Kader Mujahid said the office has been facing a long-standing manpower crisis. "We have informed the higher authorities several times. If the vacant posts are filled quickly, the situation will improve," he said.
Executive Engineer of LGED in Laxmipur, Ujjal Chowdhury, said the issue has been communicated to the higher authorities and they have assured that steps will be taken to resolve the problem.
