Abu Hena Morshed Zaman, former secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, made crores of taka allegedly by promoting inefficient officials in exchange for money and awarding contracts for project work to highest bidders.
His (Abu Hena) unlimited control over the ministry left the then-minister Mustofa Zabbar helpless. Disregarding anyone’s opinions, he made important decisions on different projects with the help of his close associates. He made a syndicate with his PS Mahbub
Alam, deputy secretary Abdullah Al Mahmud and joint secretary Dr. Md. Tayebur Rahman, bringing them to the Post and Telecommunication Department from other ministries.
Allegations are rife that the former secretary awarded award contracts to those who offered the highest bids, and gave promotion to inefficient officials in return for hefty amount of money.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) undertook a project titled ‘Optical Fiber Transmission Network’ to expand the internet infrastructure countrywide by 2030. Nokia, ZTE, Huawei took part in the tender of the project.
The Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) specified that five experts should be appointed to submit their opinions after conducting a survey. But he (Abu Hena) ignored the DPP directives.
Currently, BTCL is using C band technology for network operation. But considering the future demand, it was supposed to use C++ and Super C band technology but the former secretary illegally opted for using C band technology.
However, when ZTE company filed a complaint to the then PST minister in this regard, the matter came into light. The then minister directed the BTCL to re-invite tender to procure high-end technology for 5G development.
Nevertheless, the former secretary again modified the resolution taken at the minister’s meeting. Despite being aware of the fact that the government may suffer a loss of Tk 1,100 crore, the former secretary awarded contracts to his favored company in return for huge amount of money. When this matter was drawn to the minister’s attention again, a directive was issued to revoke the decision.
Mustafa Jabbar told the Bangladesh Post, “During my tenure as a minister, I passed the worst time when he (Abu Hena) joined as secretary of Post and Telecommunication Ministry. Several times I informed Public Administration and Prime Minister Office about his misdeeds, but somehow he managed the higher authorities to save his post.”
“During our ADP meeting, we asked him (Abu Hena) to recheck the specification of the 5G instruments as it is vital to use latest technology to stay competitive in the global market. But, he did not pay heed to us and did what he wanted,” he added.
It is learnt that there are some organisations including BTCL, Teletalk, Telephone Shilpa Sangstha under the Post and Telecommunication Ministry where the PST ministry secretary hold the position of chairman. As a result, the secretary take the final decision and No one can raise voice against him.
According to reports, the former secretary is accused of violating procedures in the management of telecom-related projects. One of the key allegations against him is his involvement in illegal appointment of a managing director to a telecommunications company when he was about to into retirement.
Abu Hena has a history of not granting projects to the lowest bidders. For the Teletalk 4G antenna tender, he chose to award the contract to the highest bidder, which caused a financial loss of Tk 17.40 crore to the government in four lots.
Although, Teletalk, the state-owned telecom operator, has been suffering financial losses, Abu Hena forced the company to spend Tk 10 lakh on setting up a temporary stall at the Ideal School and College reunion to sell his books but not a single book was sold. It’s important to mention that Abu Hena was serving as the president of the school’s governing body at the time.
This correspondent tried to contact him (Abu Hena) over phone for his comments over phone but his phone was found switched off. Despite several attempts to his office phone (LGRD ministry) his head clerk said Sir was currently engaged in a meeting.
