Accra:The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has proposed securing a three-year warranty through security deposits from contractors to ensure the quality of rural road construction, following directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. This recommendation emerged during the committee's first meeting, chaired by AKM Selim Reza Habib.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the committee underscored the need for enhanced monitoring of construction projects, urging officials to diligently fulfill their responsibilities. A presentation during the meeting outlined the activities of the ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies, and the ministry's achievements during the government's initial 180 days were also highlighted.
Furthermore, the committee advised implementing projects to identify arsenic-affected areas nationwide and ensuring safe drinking water for residents in those regions. It also recommended augmenting cleanliness campaigns and increasing public awareness to combat Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever. Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) were suggested as supervisors of cleanliness initiatives, tasked with enhancing public awareness.
The committee emphasized the importance of accountability in public service, urging officials to carry out their duties with integrity and without nepotism. To bolster monitoring and accountability, the introduction of an online attendance system for officials at the upazila level was also recommended.
Additionally, the committee called for investigations into irregularities and corruption in unnecessary projects undertaken with both domestic and foreign funding during the previous 'fascist' government.