Staff Crisis Paralyses Civic Services and Development in Lohagara Municipality

Civic services and infrastructure development have completely ground to a halt in Lohagara Municipality due to a severe, long-standing shortage of engineers and top administrative staff.

Despite having two designated posts for municipal engineers, both positions have been vacant for an extended period. The crisis has crippled the local administration across all 9 of its wards, halting the construction of new roads, drainage system upgrades, building design approvals and project tender processes. Multiple government-funded development projects now face total uncertainty.

Established in 2003, Lohagara Municipality has long struggled to deliver basic civic amenities. However, its operational crisis worsened significantly following the nationwide political transition on August 5, 2024, when the elected mayor and councilors were removed by government decree. While a government administrator was subsequently appointed, the municipality has remained deeply stagnant.

Compounding the crisis, the municipality is also facing a vacuum in key administrative positions. Taufiqul Alam, the Municipal Executive Officer (Additional Charge) currently forced to manage two different municipalities simultaneously, leaving him available at Lohagara for only two days a week.

As a result, local residents and traders from Lohagara Bazar face immense harassment and delays when trying to secure basic documentation, including citizenship certificates, trade licenses, and birth or death registrations.

"The current situation of Lohagara Municipality is highly disappointing," said Sharifuzzaman, a local journalist and resident of Ward 7. "Development work is entirely frozen and public suffering will only multiply if engineers are not appointed immediately."

When contacted, Municipal Executive Officer Taufiqul Alam confirmed the administrative gridlock. "Without engineers, we cannot complete project estimations or move forward with the tender process. We urgently need at least two engineers to resume normal operations," Alam said.

Lohagara Municipality Administrator and Assistant Commissioner (Land), Sushmita Saha stated that the higher authorities have been formally notified of the emergency. "We have sent written requests to the Ministry of Public Administration, the Khulna Divisional Commissioner and the Narail Deputy Commissioner seeking immediate engineering appointments. We hope the government resolves this soon," Saha said.