Former Adviser to Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Nahid Islam, has resigned recently.
The resignation was announced from the office of the Chief Advisor on Tuesday noon (February 25).
During his tenure, Nahid claimed to have implemented numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the ICT sector in Bangladesh, such as protecting citizens' rights and ensuring better accessibility.
One of his key achievements, he noted, was his efforts to address public demands for the abolition of the Digital Security Act.
In response to the call for reform, a draft of the Cyber Security Ordinance was swiftly prepared, with ongoing consultations to make the law more user-friendly and to safeguard freedom of expression.
He strongly stated that no law would be allowed to silent the people's voice.
Nahid also highlighted various initiatives aimed at improving the ICT infrastructure and creating a more citizen-friendly environment.
These included enhancing the security of ICT systems, collaborating with international bodies to protect data, and working with authorities to reduce internet costs.
Additionally, he worked on expanding the Apostille service to include overseas students through the MyGov portal.
However, his tenure was marred by criticism from multiple quarters.
Azizur Rahman Rezvi, the former Territory Manager at Robi Axiata Limited, criticised the lack of measures addressing mobile operator exploitation, high data prices, and network vulnerabilities.
The millions of freelancers in the country who are struggling with issues related to PayPal and Payee know best how much of a problem this is.
Hasan Rayhan, an online correspondent at NTV, expressed dissatisfaction with the failure to bring PayPal to Bangladesh, which he believed would have greatly benefited the freelancing sector.
Similarly, a Green University's student, Hasan Shihab noted that promises made regarding internet call rates and the removal of data validity were never implemented, despite being announced seven months earlier.
Another significant point of contention came from Mishkat Uddin Rasel, who criticised him for not centralising birth and death registrations and national identity card systems under one authority.
He argued that these systems were not automated and failed to integrate smoothly with the e-passport system, leading to inefficiencies and errors in personal data.
The general public also has voiced frustrations over the lack of updates and accessibility on government websites, stating that information is often unavailable or outdated.
Consumers are particularly vocal about the practices of service providers, accusing them of exploiting customers by charging for internet minutes beyond their validity period and depleting unused data once the validity expire.
Nahid's tenure was also plagued by other issues, including the failure to tackle online betting sites, which many blamed for contributing to the rise in thefts and robberies.
Furthermore, projects like the Sheikh Russel Digital Lab and Sheikh Russel School of Future were criticised for having little impact, with reports of mismanagement and corruption. The names have been changed, but no proper oversight is being carried out. Incompetent individuals are in charge of these initiatives at upazila level.
The labs condition at the school level is extremely poor. There is no supervision of the Assistant Program staff in the upazilas responsible for these projects. There is rampant corruption in these projects, wasting millions of money. Some schools have laptops lying unused in the labs, and students are not being taught anything.
Millions of takas were wasted, and schools under the programme were found with unused laptops and poorly maintained facilities. Trainers were not paid, and the programmes failed to deliver on their promises, especially the Python training provided under the School of Future.
Another major failure that emerged was Nahid's neglect of national services such as Teletalk, the state-owned mobile operator, and the national television channel, BTV.
Critics argued that these two institutions could have been pivotal in the development of the ICT sector.
Teletalk, which offers services at significantly lower prices compared to private operators, could have been a game-changer if its network had been properly upgraded. With better infrastructure, Teletalk could have attracted more customers, potentially disrupting the market and breaking the monopoly of private operators, who are often accused of forming a syndicate to keep prices high. But, the network coverage of Teletalk is not satisfactory even in the capital.
One of the most alarming criticisms was Nahid's failure to implement restrictions on pornographic websites which remain easily accessible.
Despite previous attempts by young people to use VPNs, these websites are now accessible without any barriers, which some believe could exacerbate issues like porn addiction, especially in light of the country's high rate of rape incidents.
Nahid's resignation marks the end of his role in the Interim Government, but his tenure will be remembered for the high hopes it raised and the significant criticisms it garnered.
Public remains concerned about the future of ICT reforms and the need for more effective oversight in addressing the sector's challenges.
SH
