A four-member committee formed to assess irregularities and challenges in the Posts and Telecommunications division has recommended ensuring regular inspections and maintaining quality during project implementation.
The committee submitted its report after a 90-day review today (9 December).
It had been formed on 22 August to assess corruption, irregularities, challenges and future directions of the projects implemented under the Postal and Telecommunications Division from 2009 to 2024.
Nahid Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, directed the authorities concerned to form the committee after assuming power.
Other recommendations include — ensuring stakeholders engagement and feasibility study through consultation and proper studies during project planning, taking necessary steps to dispose of the pending audit objections and effective measures to prevent occurrence in future, ensuring submission of VAT and tax for transparency and improved skill of the project directors and taking steps to complete recruitment process of the project director after the approval of the project.
The report highlighted numerous challenges and shortcomings in project implementation, which have limited the division’s developmental potential.
Key issues which were identified include – many projects underwent repeated adjustments due to inadequate feasibility studies and lack of consultation with stakeholders at the planning stage, leading to delays, cost overruns, and delayed benefits for the public.
Financial, technical, and economic impacts were often not properly evaluated, resulting in projects failing to achieve their desired outcomes; several audit objections remain unresolved, creating barriers to financial transparency; and failure to submit project completion reports (PCR) for some initiatives has made it difficult to assess project effectiveness.
The committee’s report serves as a roadmap for addressing existing challenges and enhancing the division’s performance.
