TIB raises questions over procurement bypassing tender

The expenditure of nearly Tk 1.11 billion through direct procurement process without tender -- in order to turn Ganabhaban into a museum -- is questionable, anti-graft agency TIB said.

"The commendable initiative to transform the former prime minister's residence - Ganabhaban -- into the 'July Uprising Memorial Museum,' meant to commemorate the uprising, honour the martyrs, and portray the oppression by the then Awami League government, is now at risk of being undermined," TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said.

The manner in which existing laws and regulations have been bypassed under the justification of direct procurement for spending public funds is not consistent with the interim government's commitment to transparency and accountability in state affairs.

According to media reports, the construction and renovation work required to complete the transformation of the museum by August 5 will be carried out through the direct purchase method, meaning no tender will be invited, a statement said.

The Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval in principle for this on Tuesday at a meeting held at the Secretariat.

Generally, government procurement through direct purchase is permitted only under emergency situations, unforeseen disasters, for specialised goods/services, or in specific circumstances where rapid delivery is necessary.

According to the government's explanation, the decision to award the work through the direct purchase method was made to expedite the completion of the museum's transformation, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said.

The question is: this project was approved back in December 2024, and under procurement policy, there was ample time to issue tenders and follow due procedures for open competition, he said.

"Yet, after nearly seven months, the government has opted for direct purchase just three weeks before the deadline-thereby bypassing sections 76(1) and 76(2) of the Public Procurement Rules," he added.

"These sections clearly state that direct procurement cannot be used to avoid open competition or show favoritism toward any particular entity," he further said.

"Moreover, as this method lacks transparency and accountability, its application must be strictly controlled", he also said.

The Dhaka chapter of Berlin-based international anti agency raised questions such as: why was the direct purchase method applied for such a routine procurement? On what basis were these two firms awarded the work orders? What was the rationale for their selection? How was the contract values determined? How will 'value for money' be ensured in this expenditure?

Without proper answers to these fundamental questions, awarding the contracts in this manner raises valid concerns about collusion and favouritism, said the TIB executive director.

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