Donors warn only experienced bidders should apply Padma project

ANIS ALAMGIR
Donors are warning that the company selected to build the Padma Bridge - set to be Bangladesh's longest - demonstrate past experience working with donors. The demand is aimed at preventing nepotism in a country often cited for corruption in awarding contracts.
The massive 6.1 km long Padma Bridge will cost US$2.4 billion, with international aid agencies and development banks pitching in $2.25 billion. Funding sources include the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
The winning consultancy firm will appoint at least 200 consultants for the project. Five companies have been shortlisted for the job - AECOM New Zealand, High Point Rendel, UK, Halcrow Group, UK; Snc-lavalin International, Canada; and Oriental Consultants, Japan. 
International donors recently wrote a letter to the government saying that the winning bidder and the consultants appointed by the companies would need to demonstrate a track record in bridge-building and working with donor agencies.
Official sources said the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the executive agency for the project, had worked with donor agencies to draft the due diligence policies. The mega project will take about three and a half years to build and will spur development in southwestern Bangladesh, providing better links to the port of Mongla.
"We don't want to see that the cousin or brother of some powerful person gets the job without experience", a World Bank official said on condition of anonymity.
Official said consultants will need 25 years of experience including 10 years working on infrastructure development financed by the World Bank, the ADB and the JICA. 
The project director of the Padma Bridge, Rafiqul Islam told The Independent that they are nearly finished the policy guidelines for appointing the consultant. 
The authority will hold a two-week consultation period after the draft policy is completed.
"Those who are experience in technically, will get the job", he added.