Staff Correspondent

An influential quarter hss been allegedly lobbying intensively to secure a contractual appointment for former Project Director (PD) Engineer Md. Monzur Ali as the Chief Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), despite a barrage of corruption, nepotism, and money laundering allegations against him.

Sources said, a powerful nexus, including several individuals from a specific district and an influential faction of the Association of Engineers, Bangladesh (AEB), has progressed significantly in backing Monzur Ali for the top post. While a few other names are also being considered for the contractual role, Monzur Ali is reportedly leading the race.

The development has sparked intense scrutiny, given Monzur Ali’s controversial tenure as the PD of the Resilient Urban and Territorial Development Project (RUTDP)—one of LGED’s largest initiatives.

Funded by the World Bank, the BDT 6,500 crore mega-project spans 81 municipalities and six city corporations. However, since its inception, the project was allegedly run as a personal fiefdom by Monzur Ali and his close associates.

Multi-crore recruitment and consultancy scams
Investigations reveal that extensive recruitment under the RUTDP project—conducted through outsourcing, consultancy firms, and individual consultants—was plagued by systematic bribery. It is alleged that Monwar Hossain, a high assistant at the Dinajpur Executive Engineer's office, Monir Hossain, a computer operator at the PD office, and Monzur Ali's nephew Mushfiq orchestrated the supply of manpower in exchange for hefty financial kickbacks.

Sources claim RUTDP's Deputy Project Director-1 (DPD-1) Mofizur Rahman was also actively involved in this illicit recruitment ring.

Furthermore, out of the BDT 370 crore allocated for consultancies under the Development Project Proforma (DPP), structural loopholes were allegedly left intentionally to facilitate corruption. Four consultancy firms—Iftisha, Aqua Consultancy, Depco, and DPM—were reportedly awarded contracts in exchange for a 20 percent commission. In blatant violation of rules, the PD allegedly bypassed the CVs submitted during the tendering process to handpick individuals for various lucrative posts after financial negotiations, including the recruitment of 87 Assistant Municipal Engineers (AMEs).

Serious financial irregularities also reportedly took place regarding five positions in the Project Management Unit (PMU) and 10 positions in the Central Management Support Unit (CMSU). Additionally, several high-paying positions were kept vacant intentionally for prolonged periods so that the allocated salaries could be misappropriated and embezzled.

Before heading RUTDP, Monzur Ali served as the Deputy Project Director (DPD) of the Municipal Governance and Services Project (MGSP). Sources claim that after MGSP concluded, approximately BDT 20 crore remained unspent. Although the funds were meant to be utilized for formulating new projects, the entire amount was allegedly embezzled under the guise of fabricated expenditure reports.

Moreover, nepotism reached unprecedented levels during his tenure at RUTDP. Allegations suggest that Monzur Ali listed his domestic housemaid, security guard, his father's personal caregiver, and caretakers of his various apartments and lands as project employees to pay their salaries from the state-funded project budget.

Government vehicles were also heavily misused. Four luxury vehicles belonging to the RUTDP project were regularly used by the PD and his family members. Monzur Ali allegedly drove a Pajero (Dhaka Metro-Gha-13-1892) previously used by former Minister Tajul Islam. His wife, Ayesha Nuri—who works as a Senior Assistant Engineer within the same project—used another Pajero Sport (Dhaka Metro-Gha-15-1084), while his daughter and sister-in-law occupied the remaining two vehicles.

In a highly calculated move, a high-profile consultant post carrying the project's maximum monthly salary of nearly BDT 6 lakh was kept vacant for a long period. Monzur Ali had reportedly planned to assume that very post himself after entering Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) on October 9. Similarly, the position of DPD-2 was also kept vacant for institutional financial manipulation.

Wealth accumulation and ongoing ACC probe
Investigations have unearthed a vast empire of illegal wealth accumulated by Monzur Ali and his immediate family members. His undeclared assets reportedly include a 15-katha plot in Madhumati Model Town, three luxury flats in Dhaka's College Gate area, approximately 10 bighas of land in Gandharia under Savar's Bhanga union, and at least 10 acres of land scattered across Dinajpur and Birol upazilas.

Allegations have also been leveled by multiple sources suggesting that Monzur Ali smuggled wealth abroad through a World Bank representative.

Following the political regime change on August 5 last year, Monzur Ali's absolute control over LGED and his controversial past activities drew fierce criticism. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already launched a formal inquiry into his massive illegal wealth gathered through recruitment and promotion syndicates.

According to official sources, a letter signed by ACC Deputy Director Azizul Haq (Memo No. 00.01.0000.501.004.25-200/385) was dispatched to the then LGED Chief Engineer Abdur Rashid Khan, seeking all relevant records and files to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. The ACC probe is currently underway as officials sift through the recovered documents.

When contacted over phone Engineer Md. Monzur denied all allegations and said a vested quarter has been working against him.