Criticisms are pouring the social media as Dr. Abu Nasar Mohammad Abdullah, a joint secretary and younger brother of the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, has been appointed as the administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC).
Dr. Abu Nasar was appointed by an office order issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) on September 1. But he took charge on August 31, NCC Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Zakir Hossain said.
The mayor of NCC enjoys the benefits of a state minister.
Dr. Abu Nasar is serving as the Joint Secretary of the Planning Branch-1 of the Local Government Department. He will additionally perform the duties of the administrator of this city corporation.
Selina Hayat Ivy, the three-time mayor of the NCC, was arrested on May 9 this year.
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Shafiqul Alam, a former chief of the AFP Bureau Office in Dhaka, claims that he did not exert any influence behind this appointment. But nepotism, trading of posts and mob pressure have been the most controversial features of the interim government, which is illegal and unconstitutional.
Asked about the appointment process, Shafiqul said: “I did not lobby the interim government to appoint my brother as the administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation. I did not even call the LGRD (Local Government Ministry) adviser (who is the appointing authority), the LGRD secretary or any other advisor or secretary of the government regarding his appointment to this post.”
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He claimed that he did not exert any influence in appointing Dr. Abdullah as the administrator. “My brother is a joint secretary to the government and is currently serving in the local government ministry. In addition to his main duties, he has been temporarily given the additional responsibility of the administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation. There is no question that I have exerted any influence on the government in this regard.”
Shafiqul said: “My brother has a masterโs from Germany, a PhD from Australia and a First Class First Degree from Dhaka University. He is a skilled and qualified officer, for whom I do not have to lobby. I do not believe in nepotism. In the last 15 months, I have not tried to influence anyone’s appointment or promotion in government service.”
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