Removal of WASA chairman an example of ‘shoot the messenger’: TIB

Staff Reporter :
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said that the removal of board Chairman after lodging complaint against the Managing Director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is a worrying example of “shoot the messenger” practice.

In a statement issued by the TIB on Tuesday said that the move was in conflict with the government’s declaration of zero tolerance towards corruption, as well as the legal obligation to protect whistleblowers against the abuse of power and corruption.

TIB, however, said the removal of WASA Chairman Golam Mostafa, who brought allegations against the organisation’s MD Taqsem A Khan of arbitrariness, has set a concerning example of protecting the accused.

There is no opportunity to see the incident of removing the board Chairman only as a result of the normal process after raising a formal complaint against WASA’s MD , said the TIB Executive Director. Iftekharuzzaman adding, “After the term of the recently removed Chairman of WASA ended in October last year, a new chairman has not been appointed. Whereas, a new Chairman was appointed just five days after the board Chairman filed a written complaint against the WASA MD to the concerned ministry.”

According to the Secretary of the Local Government Department, even if the incident is accepted as a “coincidence”, by removing the complainant under the circumstances, “WASA MD’s will is the last word in the management of WASA, and WASA MD has the power to remove anyone from WASA to protect his own interests and such allegation is established,” the TIB statement added.

According to the TIB statement, “As a result, the message is given by the authorities concerned about the prevention of corruption and abuse of power is that the identity and position of the person is given a license to be imprudent; If necessary, there will be no hesitation in using the ‘shoot the messenger’ practice to silence the messenger or whistleblower of corruption and abuse of power, whoever he may be.”

Taking into account the complaint of the former Chairman, the TIB has called for accountability from the accused, subject to a fair and transparent investigation into the complaints raised against him.

TIB, Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, said the action could not be considered a regular process in any way.
He said, the move also gives a message that “if necessary, there will be no hesitation in adopting the practice of “shoot the messenger” to silence a complainant of corruption and abuse of power, whoever they may be.”