Administrative indifference, lack of coordination raise concern over public suffering

A growing sense of frustration is mounting over what appears to be persistent administrative indifference, poor coordination and a lack of accountability, as ordinary citizens continue to suffer the consequences of decisions taken without adequate planning or cooperation among the authorities concerned.

The latest episode has once again raised serious questions about whether government agencies are sufficiently responsive to public suffering and whether officials entrusted with ensuring smooth public services are being held accountable for their failures.

The situation has reached such a stage that even a Member of Parliament from the rulling party has expressed his frustration, warning others projecting a “dark future ahead”.

Shahadat Hossain Selim, BNP lawmaker from Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) constituency, questioned the role of the administration in a post on his verified Facebook account on Sunday night, referring to the public suffering caused by the 32-hour prolonged traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway starting from Friday night.

“The prolonged traffic congestion left ambulances stranded, resulting in the deaths of patients, while many expatriates missed their scheduled flights because they could not reach the airport on time,” he wrote.

Mentioning that the ruling party whip in the National Parliament ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan, who was recently assigned responsibility for coordinating development activities in Cumilla, Chandpur and Brahmanbaria districts, took an urgent initiative. 

“To investigate the causes of the massive traffic jam, the deaths of patients, missed flights by expatriates and the extreme suffering of passengers, he convened a Zoom meeting with the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Cumilla and Narayanganj, the highway police superintendent and executive engineers of the Roads and Highways Department,” Selim wrote.

Sharing his experience of observing everything sitting beside the whip, the MP wrote he was surprised and deeply disappointed after noticing that even after such a major incident and immense public suffering, there was not the slightest sense of remorse or accountability among the responsible officials. 

“Even regarding such a crucial matter as bridge repair work, the executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, the highway police superintendent and the deputy commissioner of Cumilla had no prior information. Such extreme lack of coordination and accountability at the official level is truly alarming,” he wrote.

Selim said that, observing the situation, the whip expressed strong anger and dissatisfaction and said it was essential to issue a public notice well in advance and inform people before undertaking bridge repair work. 

“Had prior announcements been made through newspapers, television news scrolls and social media, passengers could have used alternative routes and the terrible situation could have been avoided. Later, he spoke with the chief engineer of the Roads and Highways Department. Even there, I did not see any positive attitude towards taking responsibility.”

Then the MP claimed that a powerful section of the administration has become desperate to make this government appear unsuccessful. 

“Unless this irresponsible circle is identified and strong action is taken immediately, a dark future awaits us. It is now imperative to take exemplary action without delay against the officials responsible for causing public suffering and demonstrating such gross negligence,” he further wrote.