Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said that corruption has decreased, but extortion remains a significant issue.
He made these comments during a press briefing at the NEC conference room in Shere Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, on Monday, following the second meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
Dr. Wahiduddin said that the government is investigating the use of vehicles purchased under various development projects across the country. "Once a project ends, we will review why vehicles bought for those projects are unaccounted for and what their current usage is," he said.
Looking ahead, the adviser mentioned that the government will focus on improving civic facilities, particularly in city corporations and municipalities. "Rather than prioritising large infrastructure projects or vehicle purchases, we will invest in building parks, libraries, and reservoirs for public benefit," he added.
Dr. Wahiduddin also noted that delays in ongoing projects are primarily due to revisions, with private sector investment remaining low. This has slowed project timelines and reduced cash flow. "To enhance the flow of funds, progress on previous projects needs to be made, and new projects should also be initiated," he explained.
However, before extending the timeline for existing projects, the costs associated with them are being closely examined, he added.
