by 
Gaibandha, April 29, 2025
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted a raid on the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) office in Fulchhari Upazila, Gaibandha, revealing the existence of non-existent projects. The operation, carried out on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, exposed significant irregularities in project implementation under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded schemes.
A three-member team from the ACC’s Rangpur Integrated Office, led by Assistant Director Ferdous Raihan Bokshi, conducted the raid from 12 PM to 4 PM. The team inspected both the upazila office and project sites in the field. The operation targeted four specific projects, including infrastructure and road construction initiatives from the fiscal years 2020-21 to 2022-23, following allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
The ACC team visited the following project sites: Chowdhuripara Public Library Development Project in Uriya Union (2020-21): Allocated BDT 1.5 lakh, but no trace of the project was found. Instead, the team discovered a semi-pucca prayer room at the site. Hawa Bhaban Ekota Youth Association Room Construction in Uriya Union (2021-22): Allocated BDT 2 lakh, but the project was not implemented. The association claimed to have constructed the room with their own funds.
Passenger Shed at Kathur (Niler Bhita) Community Clinic in Udakhali Union: Allocated BDT 1.46 lakh, but only a rudimentary structure with six pillars and a few tin sheets was found, with no fencing or seating. The ACC suspects only BDT 15,000–20,000 was spent, indicating potential embezzlement. Palasiding Project near Millat’s House in Chandia, Kanchipara Union: The team inspected the site but found discrepancies in implementation.
Ferdous Raihan Bokshi, speaking to Dhaka Post, confirmed that the raid was conducted based on specific allegations of irregularities in ADB-funded projects. “We found several inconsistencies during our inspection. These will be further verified before submitting a detailed report,” he said. The team comprised ACC officials Joyanta Saha, Ferdous Raihan Bokshi, and Manjurul Islam.
Notably, the Upazila Engineer, Khairul Islam, was absent during the raid. ACC officials interrogated other office staff to gather further information.
The findings have raised concerns about the misuse of public funds and the need for stricter oversight in project implementation. The ACC is expected to submit a comprehensive report to its Dhaka headquarters for further action.
AI/MR
