Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has raised serious concerns over the government’s decision to spend nearly Tk111 crore through direct procurement for the construction and renovation of the July Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, TIB criticised the apparent circumvention of established laws and procedures, stating that the use of direct procurement contradicts the interim government’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Citing media reports, the organisation noted that the entire construction and renovation process-scheduled for completion by 5 August-will be executed through the direct purchase method, bypassing any open tendering process. The Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs reportedly granted in-principle approval for the project on 15 July at a meeting held at the Secretariat.
Describing the move as questionable, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “Direct procurement by the government is typically reserved for emergency situations, unforeseen disasters, highly specialised services or goods, or instances requiring urgent delivery.”
He pointed out that the project had originally been approved in December 2024, leaving sufficient time to follow standard procurement procedures, including open tendering.
“In this case, the rationale of urgency used to justify direct procurement does not appear to hold. There was ample opportunity to ensure competitive bidding and transparency,” Dr Zaman stated.
He further argued that the project-comprising electrical, mechanical, and civil works-does not meet the criteria for specialised or emergency procurement. “Awarding nearly Tk111 crore worth of work to two firms without competitive bidding raises legitimate concerns.
Why was the direct purchase method chosen for a routine construction project? On what grounds were these specific firms selected, and what criteria guided their appointment?” he questioned.
TIB called on the government to clarify the reasoning behind the decision and urged a return to open, competitive procurement practices to uphold public trust and fiscal accountability.
