The interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus appears poised to stage yet another spectacle at the expense of Bangladesh’s citizens, this time under the guise of vaccine procurement.
By opting for direct purchasing worth Tk610 crore from UNICEF—bypassing any competitive tender process or open bidding—this administration is conducting a massive financial transaction in utter secrecy, devoid of public scrutiny or debate. Ordinary citizens are left as passive observers, stripped of any meaningful avenue to voice concerns or demand explanations.
The rationale for sidestepping the tender process raises profound questions about the government’s commitment to accountability. When expending such a colossal sum of public funds, eschewing competitive bids signals a deliberate aversion to oversight. Proponents may argue that sourcing from UNICEF guarantees the optimal price, but without benchmarking against alternative suppliers, how can the nation be assured of securing the most cost-effective deal? In a global market teeming with pharmaceutical options, this opacity invites scepticism about whether hidden motives—such as inflated commissions or favouritism—are at play.
Reports indicate that this procurement will draw from unspent funds allocated under the Asian Development Bank’s Covid-19 response project. Yet, critical details remain shrouded: What was the exact amount of these residual funds? Why were they left unutilized during the pandemic? And why the abrupt pivot to routine vaccinations now? Moreover, if the original loan terms were earmarked specifically for Covid-related initiatives, has the lender’s explicit consent been obtained for this repurposing? Or does this represent another clandestine arrangement, potentially violating international agreements?
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While Bangladesh boasts a longstanding partnership with UNICEF for vaccine supplies—a collaboration that has undoubtedly served the nation well in the past—this does not justify perpetual reliance on a single source without exploration of alternatives. Technological advancements, evolving market dynamics, and the emergence of new suppliers worldwide offer opportunities for more favourable terms, including lower prices or enhanced quality assurances. A transparent tender process could have unlocked these benefits, fostering competition and ensuring value for money. Instead, the government’s intransigence suggests a preference for maintaining the status quo, possibly to preserve entrenched relationships that benefit a select few.
This decision, spearheaded by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, lacks any publicly disclosed logic, calculations, or economic justifications. The sole defense proffered is the imperative to sustain an uninterrupted vaccination program—a vital public health priority, to be sure. However, can such a noble end rationalise procedural irregularities or fiscal opacity? Safeguarding public health must not come at the cost of evading responsibility for the prudent stewardship of taxpayer money.
Since assuming power, this interim administration has amassed a troubling record of dubious decisions that undermine transparency and breed opportunities for corruption. The vaccine procurement is merely the latest in a series of scandals. For instance, the government has waived Tk 666 crore in unpaid taxes owed by entities affiliated with Yunus’s Grameen network, followed by a generous five-year tax exemption for these institutions—moves that divert potential revenue from national coffers amid economic strain. In another egregious case, the state’s stake in Grameen Bank was unilaterally reduced from 25% to 10%, effectively handing greater control to private interests linked to Yunus without parliamentary approval or public consultation. Public funds have also been funnelled opaquely, such as the transfer of Tk 700 crore from the Ministry of Social Welfare directly to the Grameen Trust without competitive bidding or oversight.
Nepotism further taints the regime, with Yunus’ nephew appointed to a senior government role equivalent to a Deputy Secretary, raising alarms about favouritism in public appointments. Additionally, the so-called “Floor Space Scandal” exemplifies self-dealing, where Yunus allegedly allocated himself 11,000 square feet of prime office space in Grameen Bank’s headquarters at a nominal rent of Tk1,000 annually through a convoluted lease involving his own trusts. These actions, coupled with the quashing of Yunus’s own prior convictions for embezzlement and labour violations, paint a picture of a government prioritising personal and institutional enrichment over public interest.
Tk610 crore is no trifling sum; it could fund the construction of numerous health centres, the hiring of additional doctors, or expanded medical services for underserved communities. Yet, it is being expended in a vacuum of supervision, eroding public trust. This administration has honed the art of fostering corruption: Where transparency should prevail, shadows dominate; where accountability is due, evasion reigns. Citizens possess an inherent right to inquire, to scrutinise, and to hold leaders to account—but under Yunus and his allies, these rights are systematically curtailed, as if the government operates above reproach.
The Bangladeshi people are far from naive; they discern these manoeuvres for what they are. Claims that such a large untendered purchase is solely to uphold vaccine quality strain credulity. Could the true intent involve kickbacks, bribes, or illicit transactions? The populace demands clarity on these suspicions.
This is no mere administrative lapse; it strikes at the heart of Bangladesh’s democracy, transparency, and fiscal integrity. An unelected government cannot toy with the nation’s resources in this manner. Yunus and his interim regime must heed that the eyes of the people are upon them, comprehending every misstep. Accountability will inevitably come due.
Source: albd.org
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