The government has reaffirmed its uncompromising stance against corruption in the construction of crop-protection embankments across the haor belt, with the Water Resources Minister pledging strict oversight during a field inspection in north-eastern Bangladesh.
Addressing journalists on Friday afternoon after visiting the Chandrasonar Taal haor in Dharampasha upazila of Sunamganj District, Water Resources Minister Mohammad Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie described the embankment programme as “critically important” for safeguarding the country’s seasonal boro harvest.
The low-lying haor wetlands, which remain submerged for much of the year, become vast stretches of arable land during the dry season. However, they are acutely vulnerable to sudden pre-monsoon flash floods, often triggered by upstream rainfall. Any failure in embankment construction can result in catastrophic crop losses, jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.
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Direct Ministerial Supervision
The minister stressed that the Ministry of Water Resources would directly monitor the planning, construction and maintenance of embankments to ensure quality and transparency.
“In previous years, there were serious allegations of irregularities and corruption in embankment projects,” he acknowledged. “We are working to bring these initiatives under a strict zero-tolerance policy so that such malpractice cannot recur.”
He added that canal excavation, river dredging and embankment construction form the backbone of flood management in the haor basin. These measures are designed to enhance water flow, reduce siltation and strengthen defences against flash floods.
“We shall act as vigilant guardians in overseeing these works,” he said, underscoring the administration’s determination to prevent financial mismanagement and substandard construction.
Directive from Party Leadership
The minister noted that the inspection was conducted in line with instructions from Tarique Rahman, who, he said, remains attentive to the concerns of haor residents and farmers. According to the minister, senior leadership is closely monitoring progress to ensure embankments are completed to the required standards ahead of the monsoon.
Such assurances are significant for the region, where even minor structural weaknesses can allow surging waters to inundate cropland within hours.
Officials in Attendance
The inspection was joined by several Members of Parliament from Sunamganj constituencies, including:
Kamruzzaman Kamrul (Sunamganj-1)
Kaiser Ahmed (Sunamganj-3)
Advocate Nurul Islam (Sunamganj-4)
Kalim Uddin Milon (Sunamganj-5)
Also present was Mamun Howlader, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board in Sunamganj.
Strengthening Accountability
The haor embankment scheme has long been regarded as both indispensable and susceptible—indispensable for food security, yet susceptible to allegations of poor workmanship and financial irregularities. By pledging tighter supervision and a zero-tolerance approach, the minister sought to reassure local communities that lessons have been learnt from past shortcomings.
With the monsoon season approaching, the durability and integrity of the embankments will once again come under scrutiny. For farmers across Sunamganj’s flood-prone plains, the effectiveness of these commitments may determine whether their harvests are secured—or swept away.