World Bank Country Director Ellen Goldstein on Tuesday said the dissatisfaction that the World Bank’s external panel had expressed over the Padma bridge corruption probe was completely of its own.
Goldstein said the panel is totally independent and neutral and the WB is also waiting for its statement, reports Bangla daily Prothom-alo.
It was not the opinion of the World Bank, Goldstein said, adding that the global lender will come with its opinion on the issue later based on the panel’s report.
Goldstein was talking to journalists about the investigation conducted by the ACC and the opinion of the WB external panel at the city’s Sonargaon Hotel after attending a seminar there.
“We will take decisions and appropriate measures after receiving the panel’s comments,” Goldstein said.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said, “All the uncertainties regarding the Padma bridge project will come to an end by February.”
He further said, “The World Bank representative will report its own stance, while the ACC, the finance ministry and the ERD (Economic Relations Division) will talk about the government position.”
“But we will be able to start the construction of the Padma bridge within the tenure of the present government,” an optimistic minister said.
