Selim Reza, Sirajganj :
The fate of the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park and its prospective entrepreneurs remains uncertain, even after the project’s implementation deadline has long passed.
This delay has been attributed to widespread corruption, irregularities, and mismanagement by the responsible authorities. Consequently, the expected benefits of the country’s largest industrial park are increasingly in doubt, causing concern among entrepreneurs.
Although the implementation of the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park was officially reported as completed on 30 June last year, key activities such as plot allocation and other developmental tasks remain incomplete. Sources indicate this is due to bureaucratic complexities and the placement of certain influential BSCIC officers.
Notably, the Project Director (PD) of the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park, Jafar Bayazid, has been promoted to Regional Director (Acting/In-Charge) for BSCIC’s regional office in Rajshahi, despite numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement against him. Previously, on 19 September 2024, he was assigned additional responsibility for the ‘Munshiganj Printing Industrial City’ project under BSCIC’s supervision.
However, his appointment to the Munshiganj project was swiftly revoked following several allegations of corruption and anomalies reported in the media, including by a national daily.
After his removal from the Munshiganj project, Jafar Bayazid returned to his previous position. However, through persistent lobbying, he secured another promotion to Regional Director for the Rajshahi office within months.
Despite assuming his new role in Rajshahi last week, he has yet to hand over responsibility for the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park to the newly appointed officer, Mahbubul Islam. As a result, the park’s activities remain at a standstill.
Sources and media reports have described the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park as a significant example of corruption, irregularities, and mismanagement under the current government.
The Awami League-led administration, under the Ministry of Industry and BSCIC, initiated the project, spanning 400 acres on the western side of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, across several areas in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, at an estimated cost of Tk 719.21 crore.
The project envisioned establishing at least 570 industries on 829 plots, with a focus on export-import oriented industries alongside domestic small and medium enterprises. However, the slow progress in plot allocation has turned the dream of many entrepreneurs into a nightmare.
Initially planned for completion within four years, the project extended to nearly 14 years due to corruption, irregularities, and the alleged inefficiency of Project Director Jafar Bayazid. Insiders claim that he misused his authority with the backing of influential relatives, including AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, a Presidium Member of the Awami League and former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation.
The project’s budget and timeline have reportedly increased multiple times, with significant sums allegedly misappropriated through irregularities. Reports also suggest that over 40 per cent of the work remained incomplete when project funds were withdrawn before the fiscal year-end in June last year. Although Jafar Bayazid claims the construction works were completed within the past six months, plot allocation activities have yet to commence due to apparent negligence by higher authorities. He stated that plot allocation is not within his jurisdiction.
In a rejoinder published in a vernacular national daily on 25 September, 2024, Parul Akhter Keya, Public Relations Officer-1 (PRO) of BSCIC in Dhaka, defended Jafar Bayazid, describing him as an experienced officer who had successfully completed the final stages of two BSCIC projects. However, she could not explain why he was removed from the Munshiganj project shortly after his appointment.
When contacted, Ziaul Haque, DGM of the Human Resource Management Section at BSCIC, declined to comment, suggesting the Project Management and Implementation Division might be able to provide clarification. However, repeated attempts to reach this division went unanswered.
Many within BSCIC have expressed discontent over Jafar Bayazid’s promotion, which they view as unjust. According to some officers, his promotion has demoralised other capable and deserving employees, who feel overlooked due to what they perceive as the organisation’s autocratic policies.
Mahbubul Islam, Assistant General Manager (AGM/In-Charge) of BSCIC in Sirajganj, confirmed he has not yet received formal charge of the Sirajganj Industrial Park from Jafar Bayazid. He stated, “I have recently joined the Sirajganj office, but since Jafar Bayazid has not handed over the charge, I am unable to comment on the project. I will, however, provide the necessary information once I officially assume responsibility.”
Responding to the allegations, Jafar Bayazid claimed, “The work of plot allocation for small, medium, and large industries will begin shortly. The BSCIC authorities are currently working on plot evaluation, and notifications will be published in newspapers soon.” He did not, however, specify when he intends to hand over charge to the newly appointed officer.
