Dhaka, November 28 (bdnews24.com)— The World Bank panel of experts will arrive in Dhaka on Dec 1 in its second visit to ‘assess the progress’ of Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into alleged graft in the Padma bridge project.
“Adequate progress in investigating corruption evidence is necessary to allow project implementation to move forward,” the Washington-based global lender said in a statement on Wednesday following preliminary discussions among the project co-financiers gathered in Manila.
Headed by Former Chief Prosecutor of International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo, the panel was formed on Oct 5, 2012. The two other members of the panel are Timothy Tong and Richard Alderman.
“The people of Bangladesh know that the Padma Bridge will transform the economy of the Southwest and reduce poverty more rapidly. They want to see the project implemented free of corruption that takes money out of the hands of the poor,” said Ellen Goldstein, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh, in a statement.
“The external panel of internationally-recognised experts will advise the World Bank and co-financiers on the adequacy of the government’s investigation.”
The World Bank cancelled its $1.2 billion loan on June 29 over allegations of corruption and government’s reluctance to check it.
The global lender, however, returned on Sep 20 as the government finally managed to strike a deal with the World Bank. ACC investigation and allowing World Bank’s panel’s access to all documents of investigation for ensuring transparency were two of the conditions agreed upon.
The panel made its first visit to Bangladesh in October for having an idea about Bangladeshi law and legal process, the Washington-based global lender said.
Source: BDNews24