Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has announced a decisive shift away from politically motivated projects initiated by previous governments.
Speaking at a meeting with Planning Commission officials at the National Economic Council Bhaban on Monday, Mahmud emphasised the need for rigorous project evaluations.
He highlighted the current high inflation rates and the urgent need to reduce expenses. "Projects must be assessed carefully before moving to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec)," he said.
Mahmud criticised past practices of launching projects for political reasons, stating that such projects will no longer be pursued. He stressed the importance of stabilising the economy and scrutinising every project.
He noted that many ongoing projects are problematic, either incomplete or facing issues like corruption, design changes, and political influence. Mahmud called for the cancellation of projects still in preliminary stages if they are unprofitable.
He expressed frustration over why Bangladesh's project costs are higher compared to other countries. Mahmud emphasised that political interests have influenced various project initiatives.
"Documenting the reasons behind frequent revisions and rising costs in major projects is crucial. We will thoroughly review all ongoing projects," Mahmud concluded.
