Allegations of grave irregularities surrounding Bangladesh’s Electronic Digital Connectivity (EDC) project warrant urgent and impartial scrutiny.
The New Nation on Sunday reported that, launched with the commendable objective of extending internet access to educational institutions and remote communities, the initiative now stands mired in controversy over financial mismanagement and procedural opacity.
Concerns primarily stem from substantial deviations between the original project tender issued in August 2022 and the revised Request for Proposal (RFP) released this year.
The most contentious change involves the withdrawal of the promise to provide free internet for the first year, now replaced with a Tk 1,200 monthly fee per institution.
With over 109,000 institutions expected to be included, this modification could impose a staggering annual cost of Tk 157 crore on the public purse.
Even more troubling is the claim that these changes were made without informing or consulting the initial bidders.
The technical specifications for Wi-Fi routers were expanded sixfold, a move some allege was tailored to favour a specific vendor.
Furthermore, the decision to eliminate the dual sign-off requirement for project approval in favour of simple user certification raises further questions about oversight and due diligence.
Perhaps most disconcerting are the allegations that certain individuals with political affiliations have assumed technical roles within the project. The appointment of a mid-ranking programmer, reportedly close to the ruling party, as Additional Project Director and his alleged involvement in these controversial amendments only deepens public scepticism.
While project officials have categorically denied all accusations, describing them as politically motivated, the lack of response to formal complaints and the absence of transparency in decision-making processes only reinforce doubts about the project’s integrity.
As Dr. Iftekharuzzaman of Transparency International Bangladesh aptly noted, altering procurement conditions without clear justification not only inflates public expenditure but also corrodes the foundations of good governance. The nation cannot afford to let such serious claims be brushed aside.
The government must recognise that digital transformation is not solely about infrastructure — it is about trust, accountability, and equitable access. If the EDC project is to bridge the digital divide as intended, it must not itself become a symbol of that very divide between power and accountability.
We therefore join civil society groups in calling for an independent, transparent investigation. Let the facts emerge, responsibilities be assigned, and corrective actions taken — for the sake of public trust and the future of digital inclusion in Bangladesh.
