Anomalies and shoddy workmanship have been found at Science and Technology Complex (STC), constructed by the Sheikh Hasina government, as the building now lies mostly unutilised.
Although the 13-storey office building was built at Tk 2.298 billion in June 2019, the FE finds most space lying unutilised and office equipment gathering dust.
Science and technology ministry built the STC at Agargaon with an eye to moving its secretariat offices to the new facility but to no avail.
However, it rented out eighth to 10th floor to different private organisations leaving aside the key purpose of the project, which was apparently undertaken without doing any feasibility study.
The state project evaluation team, the IMED, found many anomalies in addition to the sloppy project work during its visit in February 2024.
The IMED team in its evaluation report said most of the space kept aside for official use, including 4th to 7th floor, was found vacant.
The equipment, furniture and space in the complex are mostly lie unused due to lack of proper utility, operation and maintenance, according to the report.
According to the project proposal, it was aimed at bringing science and tech-related associations, clubs and allied organisations under a single platform.
However, there was no remarkable progress to the purpose and mission.
The IMED report said the then Planning Commission and the Hasina-led ECNEC approved the project without any feasibility study, a proper calculation of benefit-cost-ratio and the internal rate of return.
Initially, construction faced a blow for a faulty design as the ministry firstly tried to build a four-storey building. Later, it changed the design for 14 storeys.
The primary cost was estimated at Tk 9.95 million, which was later revised at Tk 2.298 billion, and the June 2016 completion deadline extended to June 2019.
The IMED found that tiles on the ground were not installed properly, basin inserted without a tap in the washroom, poor plaster on boundary walls, part of the walls built without plaster and marble tiles cracked.
Furniture, TV, fridges, camera, woven, fans and sound systems remain idle for months.
According to the IMED, the incompatible furniture was procured through a limited tendering method under five packages. This is a clear violation of the government’s project implementation regulation, said an official concerned.
Even the power substation is not maintained properly, lighting systems in some places and CC cameras in some places are not functioning properly.
The furniture and air-cooler system installed in the auditorium may get damaged any time, according to the IMED evaluation team.
A display monitor in the exhibition hall has already gone busted, and the PABX, Wi-Fi and LAN systems are not working in the complex.
The IMED team also detected a faulty firefighting system along with inadequate equipment. The fire hose box is installed without the fire drill.
Again, there was lack of a drainage system around the building. Besides, the vehicle scanner in the entrance was non-functional, electricity equipment and system were faulty.
When asked, an additional secretary told the FE that the ministry backtracked from its earlier decision of shifting its offices to Agargaon.
Seeking anonymity, he said the project was taken under the pressure of a couple of policymakers and contractors during the Hasina administration.
This post was originally published on here
