Kamalnagar LGED office grapples with manpower shortage

The Kamalnagar Upazila office of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Lakshmipur is facing a severe manpower crisis, disrupting administrative operations and delaying supervision of development projects.
Although the office has 21 approved posts, only nine officials and employees are currently working, causing major setbacks in the implementation and monitoring of ongoing development activities.
Officials concerned said the shortage has slowed project planning, implementation and field supervision, particularly in rural road, bridge and culvert construction and renovation works. In many cases, questions have also arisen over work quality due to inadequate field-level monitoring.
The situation has worsened following the transfer order of Upazila Engineer Abdul Quader Mujahid to Feni, raising fears that regular office operations may come to a halt if he leaves.
According to LGED sources, the office currently has one engineer against sanctioned posts for one engineer, one assistant engineer and four deputy assistant engineers. 
There are no personnel in key posts including accountant, accounting assistant, computer operator, surveyor, office assistant and security staff. Only two work assistants are serving against five approved positions.
Local public representatives said development activities in the upazila are not progressing at the expected pace because of the manpower shortage, negatively affecting implementation of government development plans.
Service seeker Raihan Siddique said people are forced to visit the office repeatedly even for minor services due to delays in processing applications and files.
Office employees said the shortage has nearly paralysed operations. Contractors reportedly face delays in receiving work bills, while media workers are also encountering difficulties in collecting advertisement bills.
Several contractors alleged that delays in bill settlement due to staff shortages are hampering project work and increasing their financial burden. They demanded immediate recruitment to vacant posts.
Upazila Engineer Abdul Quader Mujahid said the manpower crisis has persisted for a long time and the matter has repeatedly been reported to higher authorities. “If vacant posts are filled, the office’s activities will regain momentum,” he said.
Lakshmipur District Executive Engineer of LGED Ujjal Chowdhury said the department has already been informed about the staffing shortage and assured that steps are being taken to resolve the issue.