Questions have been raised about the success of the 'Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene Project' in 10 priority cities of the country, including Sirajganj, under the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), because most of the toilets in the project are not being installed in hygienic places.
Also, informed sources say that the use of low-quality construction materials is expected to increase health risks in a short time. Experts fear that the target of the project, financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), is expected to not be achieved due to faulty planning, widespread corruption and irregularities by the concerned contractors and executive engineers.
It is learned that due to the dense population in these cities, most of the latrines under the project have been and are being installed very close to the bedrooms, dining rooms or in front of the doors of the beneficiaries, which is increasing health risks instead of protecting health. There is a possibility of further increase in health risks in the future. Because the semi-finished latrines are being made of low-quality tin, wood and other materials, which many believe will soon be destroyed.
In most cases, the latrines installed near the residence, kitchen or dining room, as they are not fully finished and are surrounded by tin fences, are spreading a strong stench of feces and various types of germs, which are causing various types of diseases. Which is likely to spread more diseases in the future.
It is alleged that most of the latrines have been rigged in the installation. Low-quality materials are being used. The main contractors who have received the work orders are not working. They are often handling the work through other people or third parties.
As a result, most of the work is being implemented through third parties, resulting in a lack of supervision. Similarly, it has been alleged that those who secretly take subcontracts are doing the repair work in the hope of making more profits, according to relevant sources.
The investigation revealed that like nine other cities in the country, the construction of 4,000 containment (capacity-1,000 liters) latrines is underway in Sirajganj Municipality at a cost of about Tk 12.60 crore. In two phases (each with 2,000 latrines at a cost of about Tk 6.29 crore). Meanwhile, while the work of the first phase is 80 percent complete, the work of the second phase is about 12 percent complete, according to the officials concerned.
However, most of the tin shed latrines have been installed near the bedroom or kitchen. Which is emitting foul smell and is a serious health hazard. It is alleged that most of the latrines have been installed with low-quality materials, such as number 2 bricks, cheap toilet pans, pillars without rods (poles made of GI wire), ring-slabs made with more sand than cement and ultra-thin corrugated tin.
Sources said that due to the use of number 2 bricks in the construction of the latrines, most of the bricks broke into pieces during transportation. Also, the pillars used for fencing the latrine are made of GI wire instead of rods, raising questions about their quality. Instead of the prescribed 170 mm, ultra-thin colored tin has been used for fencing the latrine, which is likely to get damaged and rusted in a short time.
Also, low-quality and cheap toilet pans and ring-slabs have been used in most places. One of the contracting companies is GDL-MEA JV, but during a recent inspection, none of the contracting companies were found at the site.
A beneficiary from Mahmudpur area of Sirajganj Municipality, who requested anonymity, said that a subcontractor of the project was forced to take back the low-quality bricks after protests from locals. Most of the bricks broke into pieces while being transported.
Another beneficiary from Raipur area of the city said that only 180 low-quality bricks and one bag of cement were used in each latrine. Also, two stairs have been installed in some places despite the need for three. Due to the installation of tin shed latrines next to bedrooms, dining rooms or kitchens in populated areas, foul smell is always spreading. Which is disrupting public life.
Experts say that the decision to build tin shed semi-paca toilets in densely populated municipalities was not right. The project financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) should have been reconsidered. In addition, supervision should be strengthened to ensure 100% success at present. Otherwise, many believe that most of the money will go down the drain.
When contacted, Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) of Sirajganj Md. Roknuzzaman admitted to some inconsistencies and blamed the manpower shortage for this. However, he said that supervision will be strengthened in the future.
Sources said that due to the lack of proper supervision by the concerned authorities, projects like Sirajganj are in a dilapidated condition in 10 municipalities of the country.
Despite repeated attempts to contact the concerned Project Director (PD) SM Shamim Ahmed to get his comment on this matter, he did not respond to the phone.
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