Violating the governments Public Procurement Rules, the company which was awarded the contract to build the Centenary Monument at Dhaka University (DU) has been allegedly delivering light bulbs directly to the construction site, instead of DU store for inspection.
The project inspectors have accepted at least 500 light bulbs without conducting laboratory tests, said sources.
On the other hand, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) expert says lab tests are important for verification of specification outlined in the tender schedule.
Due to a lack of proper inspection, the company, Momotaj Engineers Ltd, is supplying low-quality local products, according to two officials familiar with the project who spoke on condition of anonymity.
They said that no one dares to object to the irregularities because company Managing Director Md Giasuddin Kazol comes from the same region that Vice-Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal and Chief Engineer Kazi Md Akram Hossain belong to.
Fine Arts Faculty Dean Prof Nisar Hossain is the project director and also the chief of the inspection committee.
Other committee members are DU Sculpture Department Chairperson Nasima Haque Mitu, BUET Civil Engineering Prof Ishtiaque Ahmed and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof Md Aynal Haque, DU Director of Planning and Development Md Zabed Alam Mridha, Executive Engineer Md Ibrahim, Superintending Engineer AKM Abu Musa Chowdhury and Superintending Engineer Md Moin Uddin.
During several visits to the construction site in front of the universitys Administrative Building at night, this correspondent observed that the lighting was poorly done, at times, it was bright and steady, while at other, it dimmed and flickered.
A resident of Surja Sen Hall told the Daily Observer, "I noticed some lights flickering. One day, a bulb was working fine, but the next day it was completely out."
Meanwhile two officials, seeking anonymity, told this correspondent that they have observed that the longevity of the light bulbs supplied by Gloria and Pasha are of poor quality.
In the meantime, the fused light bulbs have been changed several times.
Engineers attributed the lights inconsistent performance to their poor quality.
Had the company supplied the materials in strict accordance with the specifications outlined by specialists, these incidents might not have occurred.
The designs of lighting outlined by the assigned architect were also compromised for convenience sake.
Because they did not follow the proposed lighting design, the supplied light bulbs do not fit the holders properly. This has led to damage within a few days and is causing delay in project completion.
Contacted, Gloria General Manager Gazi Sirazul Islam said the company has supplied 50 to 60 per cent of the total demand. The company supplied the light bulbs with a three-year guarantee whereas the university authorities initially demanded a ten-year guarantee.
Sources said there were alternative companies which offered ten-year guarantee but came to no use as they got no opportunity to present their samples comprehensively due to arbitrariness of Giasuddin.
DU Engineer AKM Abu Musa Chowdhury (Electricity Zone 2) said the companies supplied light bulbs met the specification of the proposed ones.
The inspection committee approved the samples of Gloria and Pasha. BUET professors involved in the committee tested the lights, said Musa.
Echoing the same, DU Engineer Md Lutfor Rahman said if the company meets the demands of authorities as per specifications, there is nothing to object.
Refuting the claim, expert in the project BUET EEE Prof Md Aynal Haque said, "Testing the lights for cross matching the specifications was the universitys responsibility, not mine. I just set the required specifications."
Prof Aynal stressed the importance of lab tests, saying, "It is really important. Because at first sight it seems the supplied light bulbs met the specifications. But it may be damaged in two days."
An Engineer told this correspondent, "When you buy a charger, you ask the seller to connect it to an electrical cord to check if your mobile is being charged. You will just know nothing but if it works or not. But if you want to test the capacity, performance and materials used to produce the charger, you need to take it to a lab."
"That is how the lights were tested. The contractor will be financially benefited if he can manage to supply poor quality lights," said the engineer.
Contacted, Giasuddin denied the allegation of arbitrariness using the Vice-Chancellors name.
"Vested quarters deprived of securing the works of light bulb supply is spreading propaganda. The supplied lights are sustainable. If it is damaged, the company will replace." he said.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Sitesh Chandra Bachar said the light bulbs will be replaced.
"We discussed the matter and instructed the concerned bodies to fit light bulbs that can survive the heat produced by metal poles. Vice-Chancellor is also aware of the matter."
