Staff Correspondent

Md. Rafiqul Islam, the Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Land Acquisition, Development, and Preservation Project under the Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited for the Patuakhali 1320- MW Super Thermal Power Plant has allegedly involved in embezzlement of huge money by leasing acquired land to locals. 

It is learnt that under this project, more than 900 acres of land have been acquired. The Bangladesh Army-run Bangladesh Diesel Plant is responsible for three major works under this project. In addition to these, several contracting firms are also involved. Over 80 percent of the project has already been completed.

Currently, due to official complications, the project work has been temporarily suspended.

Allegations have been raised that Sub-Divisional Engineer Md. Rafiqul Islam is illegally allocating land through verbal leases and earning huge money. 

Claiming that the project will not continue, he has reportedly leased land from the project area illegally to local people. In May of this year, he illegally leased out several plots of land while serving as the acting Executive Engineer. It is rumored that he is close to. the project director, and they have been working together on this project for a long time. With the project director’s support, he is continuing this illegal activity.

This official has given verbal assurances to many locals in the area. He has reportedly told vulnerable local farmers to regularly pay the lease money and that he would delay the implementation of the project. It is also reported that he claimed the project director is his trusted associate and that he would manage everything.

Md. Rafiqul Islam, along with several locals, has cut soil from the project embankment and sold it. Those involved in the soil cutting said they heard from Engineer Rafiqul that the project would no longer proceed. Although most people do not want to speak openly about Rafiqul Islam, a few people from Debpur, Pachjunia, and Dhankhali gave interviews on condition of anonymity. 

According to them, anyone can verbally lease land from Rafiqul Islam by paying money. The engineer reportedly has two or three local agents. 

However, after a recent inspection by an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) team, there was a reaction among those who took the lease. Arguments broke out between Rafiqul and some of the leaseholders, but he assured them that he would manage everything.

Despite the government spending nearly Tk 800 crore, due to some corrupt officials like Rafiqul Islam, the entire project now lies incomplete and abandoned. Rafiqul Islam is now acting like a feudal landlord from the Nawabi era, collecting rent and dreaming of getting rich.

Local civil society members have stated that if the reputable Ashuganj authorities looked into the matter, project officials wouldn’t have been able to carry out such unethical activities.

When contacted over the phone for comments, Sub-Divisional Engineer Rafiqul Islam hung up after hearing that the caller was a journalist. Subsequent attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.