The work stalled due to fraud by contractors

The construction work of a new four-storey building of Koyra Upazila Health Complex in Khulna has come to a standstill due to negligence and fraud of the contractor.

The Tk 10 crore project was initiated by the Department of Health Engineering on August 16, 2022 for a period of nine months to improve services at the 31-bed health complex.

Contractor companies Ziaul Traders and Shamim Ahsan Traders were given the work order.

However, it came to light that Aktaruzzaman Babu, former legislator from Khulna-6 constituency, carried out the construction work by hiring the license of the main contractor.

Later, after failing to secure an Awami League nomination in the 12th national elections, followed by the ouster of the AL government, Babu reportedly fled the country, halting construction work on the health complex in total disorder was left behind.

So far, Rs 1.73 crore of the allocated funds have been withdrawn, but progress remains stuck at just 18 percent, compromising oversight and surfacing allegations of mismanagement.

After construction work began, the old building was demolished. The entire hospital, including administrative activities, was moved to a smaller building originally intended for outpatient clinics with 19 beds.

Currently, the hospital’s activities are carried out in this building, despite the many restrictions.

Many patients were treated on the balcony and stairs. In addition, both diagnostic services and operations were performed due to an acute lack of space on the second floor of the old building.

Hasina Banu from Bedkashi area, who was recently admitted to the health complex, said, “It was a suffocating atmosphere in the ward with more than 50 patients. I left the hospital and was later treated by a clinic.”

In the meantime, only a few large holes have been dug at the construction site containing rods for building pillars. Rainwater has collected at the spot, making it a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Locals alleged that the contractors had embezzled the project’s funds in connivance with DHE officials. They also alleged that DHE had been negligent in overseeing the implementation of the project.

Mohammad Rezaul Karim, health and family planning officer of Upazla, said: “The hospital is now being run due to lack of space, causing significant disruption to services. The outpatient clinics are in disarray: more than 200 patients come in every day, while we hardly have much. space to house them.”

He demanded the appointment of a new contractor to complete the construction work.

Ziaul Ahsan Titu, owner of construction company Ziaul Traders and also a former councilor of Ward 28 of Khulna City Corporation, said: “Former MP Aktaruzzaman Babu executed the project under my license. His delays and eventual disappearance have put us in a difficult situation. ” difficult position.”

Babu could not be reached for comment as his phone appeared to be switched off.

Shahriar Hasan Mohiuddin, executive engineer of DHE in Khulna, said they canceled the contractor’s work order due to delays.

He said they are investigating the issue of money mismanagement and fraud.