3 city administrators meet PM Tarique; seek funds to avert crisis

Administrators of the Dhaka South, Dhaka North and Gazipur city corporations met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (3 March) and briefed him on the acute financial strain facing the three bodies.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office at  Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Milton and Gazipur City Corporation Administrator Shawkat Hossain Sarkar attended the meeting.

After the meeting, the administrators spoke to reporters.

South seeks block allocation

Abdus Salam said revenue collection over the past few months fell short of expectations compared to previous years, creating a cash crunch.

“We have informed the honourable Prime Minister about the financial crisis. We have sought a block allocation to run the city corporation,” he said.

Salam said he also requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Local Government Ministry to extend support for ongoing and planned projects.

He alleged that a large number of work orders were issued by the previous administration without adequate funds.

“If we proceed with those work orders in a blanket manner, the corporation will collapse. That cannot be allowed,” he said.

North in fragile condition

Shafiqul Islam Milton described Dhaka North City Corporation as being in a “fragile condition”.

He said tenders worth Tk 1,470 crore were awarded and work orders were issued despite a shortage of funds.

He said the former administrator signed 34 files involving bill payments just before leaving office on February 10, ahead of the February 12 election.

“At present, we have around Tk 25 crore. The monthly salary requirement alone is about Tk 13 crore. You can judge how we will manage development work,” Milton said.

He, however, said the Prime Minister assured them of support. “We are not disappointed. We will move forward and remain committed to serving the people,” he added.

PM’s directives

Abdus Salam said the Prime Minister put emphasis on three priorities — a clean Dhaka, a greener Dhaka and protection of residents from mosquito infestation.

With the monsoon approaching and the risk of dengue likely to rise, he said the Prime Minister directed the authorities to bring mosquitoes under control at any cost and improve waste management.

“Dhaka has turned into a dumping ground. We have to change that,” Salam quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

He said the three city corporations — Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation and Gazipur City Corporation — are working together to improve waste management quickly.

Steps have already been taken, including canal excavation programmes and cleanliness drives, Salam said, adding that a one-month crash programme has been launched in the south city to tackle mosquito breeding and improve sanitation.