JU on path to waste crores?
Authorities constructing new buildings ‘on a whim’
Jahangirnagar University's (JU) latest development decisions have the potential to waste crores, as claims of building new establishments whimsically, and hiding information are echoing throughout the university.
JU currently has two administrative buildings, one of which has been partially built. But instead of completing its construction, JU's new plan is to erect a brand new 10-storey administrative building, at a cost of Tk 138.
The reason, according to authorities, is to house all the university's offices in one building, as the existing two structures are not fit for that.
However, Abdus Salam Md Sharif, the university's chief engineer, said this can be accomplished by just finishing construction of the existing building, which will require around Tk 40 crore.
If the authorities build the new administrative building, around Tk 100 crore would go down the drain. They can't just do this whimsically. JU can just complete construction of the existing administration building.
According to documents, construction of the existing building started in 2009, and works of a part of the structure was finished in 2016. This cost Tk 11.19 crore.
The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the building's design, which indicates that the structure can be used to conduct all administrative activities if construction is completed.
The chief engineer has confirmed this.
Meanwhile, the development project proposal (DPP) of the latest plan contains no mention of this existing building. It only talks about the older administrative building and asks Tk 152.80 crore to build a new one.
Regarding this, eminent economist Prof Anu Muhammad said, "If the authorities build the new building, around Tk 100 crore would go down the drain. They can't just do this whimsically. JU can just complete construction of the existing building."
Not mentioning that construction of one part of the existing building was finished in 2016 in the DPP is tantamount to hiding information, he added.
"Obscuring facts like this is unacceptable. They should've disclosed everything from the beginning, but we have been kept in the dark about all the work. Opinions of stakeholders were also not taken at that time," Anu said.
Besides, without creating a definite masterplan, authorities are building and demolishing structures as per their wish. Due to this, crores are being wasted, stakeholders said.
The university's library is facing a similar fate. Instead of completing construction of the existing structure, authorities have decided to build a new one. This will cost Tk 101 crore.
Asked about all this, Vice Chancellor Prof Nurul Alam, "I do not want to comment on this matter, as I was not involved with these matters when the decisions were taken."
Former vice chancellor Farzana Islam could not be reached for comments, despite repeated efforts.