WASA’s Gulshan housing project may facilitate land grabbing: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Thursday expressed deep concern over Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA)’s initiative to construct a residential building on 114 kathas of land in Gulshan, alleging that the process could facilitate land grabbing and serve vested interests.

In a statement issued on Thursday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the initiative was taken based on an unsolicited proposal from a privately owned housing company and without following an appropriate transparent and participatory process.

“This is a clear violation of the relevant laws and policy framework”, he said.

He said WASA, as a government institution, manages public assets on behalf of the people and any development involving such assets should be undertaken transparently, including through an open tender process where applicable.

“This essentially raises concerns about manipulation by vested interests and the pursuit of particular group interests. If state property is used in this manner to serve vested interests and generate private profit, it would set a highly undesirable precedent”, he added.

According to TIB, instead of rejecting the housing company’s proposal outright, WASA formed a committee within a short period to examine it, which the organisation described as a “corrupt and collusive process.” 

The organisation alleged that the initiative could ultimately result in WASA land being handed over to a private housing company owned by an influential individual associated with the ruling party.

Iftekharuzzaman urged the relevant authorities to immediately cancel the initiative and conduct a proper investigation into the matter.

TIB further noted that some members of WASA’s performance support committee had reportedly raised objections to the initiative.

The organisation said that if WASA genuinely intends to construct a building or undertake other development on the Gulshan property for institutional purposes, it should first assess the justification and feasibility of the project.

Any subsequent decision, TIB said, should be made through an open, transparent and participatory tender process in accordance with existing laws and policies.