Special Correspondent :
Construction work of all the government projects given to GKB and Company has been stopped following the arrest of G K Shamim.
The company, owned by G K Shamim, bagged at least 17 large government construction works involving nearly Tk 3,000 crore.
Sources in the Pubic Works Department (PWD) told this correspondent that a powerful syndicate within the department helped GKB and Company in getting the contracts.
“Works at all construction sites have been stopped after the authorities blocked the bank accounts held by the company and its owner,” Md Nazim, Marketing Manager of GKB and Company, told The New Nation on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Bank earlier ordered all banks to freeze accounts held by GKB and Company, SM Golam Kibria Shamim, his wife and mother.
The law enforcers arrested Shamim, popularly known as GK Shamim, for his alleged involvement in criminal activities, money-laundering and tender manipulation.
RAB arrested Shamim from his Niketon office in the capital on September 20.
During raid at his home and office, RAB seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, stash of US and Singaporean dollars, and some foreign liquor.
Seven of his armed bodyguards were also arrested.
“We were compelled to stop construction work of all government projects amid fund crisis. Even, our staff did not get salaries due to lack of funds,” said Md Nazim.
A highly placed source at the PWD told this correspondent that contracts for various construction works with G K Builders may be cancelled as the company bagged the contracts through tender manipulation.
Media reports said, GK Shamim controlled the tendering process of all contracts of the PWD by exerting undue influence and bribery for the past 10 years since 2009.
“If the company fails to continue the construction work, we have to think alternative options,” Shahadat Hossain, chief engineer of the PWD, told The New Nation
Officials said, 12 projects of the PWD involving Tk 1,800 crore are being implemented solely by GKB and Company. Besides, several companies under joint ventures with the Company are also implementing other projects.
The contracts being currently executed by GK Builders are construction of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital worth Tk 400 crore, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation- Tk 400 crore, National Institute of Digestive Diseases Research and Hospital, Mohakhali- Tk 200 crore, RAB Training School, Gazipur- Tk 550 crore, Parbotto Chattogram Complex- Tk 300 crore, National Board of Revenue- Tk 400 crore, Secretariat Cabinet Bhaban- Tk 150 crore, Neuroscience- Tk 100 crore, Science Museum- Tk 100 crore, Arts Faculty Building of Chattogram University- Tk 75 crore, NGO Foundation- Tk 65 crore, Ajma Centre- Tk 20 crore, Cancer Institute- Tk 20 crore, Seba College- Tk 20 crore and Public Service Commission- Tk 12 crore.
Construction work of all the government projects given to GKB and Company has been stopped following the arrest of G K Shamim.
The company, owned by G K Shamim, bagged at least 17 large government construction works involving nearly Tk 3,000 crore.
Sources in the Pubic Works Department (PWD) told this correspondent that a powerful syndicate within the department helped GKB and Company in getting the contracts.
“Works at all construction sites have been stopped after the authorities blocked the bank accounts held by the company and its owner,” Md Nazim, Marketing Manager of GKB and Company, told The New Nation on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Bank earlier ordered all banks to freeze accounts held by GKB and Company, SM Golam Kibria Shamim, his wife and mother.
The law enforcers arrested Shamim, popularly known as GK Shamim, for his alleged involvement in criminal activities, money-laundering and tender manipulation.
RAB arrested Shamim from his Niketon office in the capital on September 20.
During raid at his home and office, RAB seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, stash of US and Singaporean dollars, and some foreign liquor.
Seven of his armed bodyguards were also arrested.
“We were compelled to stop construction work of all government projects amid fund crisis. Even, our staff did not get salaries due to lack of funds,” said Md Nazim.
A highly placed source at the PWD told this correspondent that contracts for various construction works with G K Builders may be cancelled as the company bagged the contracts through tender manipulation.
Media reports said, GK Shamim controlled the tendering process of all contracts of the PWD by exerting undue influence and bribery for the past 10 years since 2009.
“If the company fails to continue the construction work, we have to think alternative options,” Shahadat Hossain, chief engineer of the PWD, told The New Nation
Officials said, 12 projects of the PWD involving Tk 1,800 crore are being implemented solely by GKB and Company. Besides, several companies under joint ventures with the Company are also implementing other projects.
The contracts being currently executed by GK Builders are construction of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital worth Tk 400 crore, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation- Tk 400 crore, National Institute of Digestive Diseases Research and Hospital, Mohakhali- Tk 200 crore, RAB Training School, Gazipur- Tk 550 crore, Parbotto Chattogram Complex- Tk 300 crore, National Board of Revenue- Tk 400 crore, Secretariat Cabinet Bhaban- Tk 150 crore, Neuroscience- Tk 100 crore, Science Museum- Tk 100 crore, Arts Faculty Building of Chattogram University- Tk 75 crore, NGO Foundation- Tk 65 crore, Ajma Centre- Tk 20 crore, Cancer Institute- Tk 20 crore, Seba College- Tk 20 crore and Public Service Commission- Tk 12 crore.
