Incompetent and Unqualified Engineer Given Charge of Roads and Bridges Division

Staff Reporter

Sheikh Moinuddin, an engineer residing in the United States who was previously penalized for incompetence and inefficiency, has been appointed to oversee Bangladesh’s road transport sector. On Wednesday, he was given the responsibility of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry as a special assistant to Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus, with the status of a state minister.

It has been reported that in 2021, Sheikh Moinuddin was demoted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) due to allegations of incompetence and inefficiency. Moinuddin filed a lawsuit claiming racial discrimination, but the jury found the institutional allegations against him valid. The court ruled that the charges of incompetence and inefficiency against him were justified.

The appointment of such an unqualified and inexperienced individual, who has no prior experience in the relevant sector in Bangladesh, has sparked a storm of criticism on social media.

Over the past decade and a half, nearly 1.5 lakh crore taka has been spent on the construction of roads, bridges, and related infrastructure in Bangladesh. Highways, flyovers, elevated expressways, bridges, culverts, and numerous other structures have been built, transforming the country’s communication network and making travel much easier. This unprecedented development in infrastructure has significantly improved the quality of life for the people.

However, since the interim government took charge, the Roads and Highways Department has yet to initiate any visible projects. The appointment of inexperienced personnel has created chaos across the country. In such a situation, Sheikh Moinuddin, who was penalized for incompetence and inefficiency, is set to take charge of the roads sector.

Sheikh Moinuddin has been living in California, USA, for nearly 25 years. He was born in Khulna, Bangladesh, and moved to the US after completing his higher secondary education. He will soon return to Bangladesh to assume his new role.

Government sources claim that Moinuddin has been appointed to the Roads and Bridges Ministry to curb excessive spending on road infrastructure, ensure road safety, and reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka and other major roads.

It is reported that former secretary Fawzul Kabir Khan, who was appointed as an advisor to key ministries such as power, energy, railways, and road transport, has failed to bring order to any of these sectors. It is allegedly at his behest that Sheikh Moinuddin has been brought in.

The Roads and Highways Department, under the Road Transport and Highways Division, is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the country’s major roads and bridges. Projects such as the Joydebpur-Tangail-Rangpur four-lane highway and the Dhaka-Sylhet-Tamabil four-lane highway, initiated by the Sheikh Hasina government, are ongoing. Additionally, the previous Awami League government had plans to upgrade several other highways to four lanes.

The interim government is continuing these projects as per the plan, but the current administration has failed to introduce any innovative approaches.

Under the Road Transport and Highways Division, six metro rail projects are being constructed in Dhaka. The ministry is also responsible for reducing traffic congestion, restoring order, and minimizing road accidents in Dhaka and across the country. It remains to be seen how much of Moinuddin’s foreign experience will be beneficial for the country.