World Bank appoints Padma panel
09 October 2012
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The World Bank has named a three-member external panel which will scrutinise the Bangladeshi Government's investigation into allegations of corruption on the Padma Bridge project. The appointment of the panel is one of several conditions the World Bank has laid down before it will re-instate the US$ 1.2 billion loan to the project it had previously cancelled in July.
The panel will be chaired by Luis Moreno Ocampo, a former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It will also include Timothy Tong, a former commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong and Richard Alderman, a former director of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
"I welcome the panel and look forward to their findings on the status and progress made by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh in their investigation," said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group president. "The Padma project is a very significant investment for the people of Bangladesh and we remain committed to ensuring the integrity of its implementation. This panel creates a unique opportunity for the people of Bangladesh to raise the bar on transparency, public accountability and governance."
Other measures the World Bank has insisted on before it will reinstate the loan include the suspension of all public officials suspected of involvement in the corruption scheme until an investigation is complete, the appointment of a special inquiry and prosecution team within the ACC to handle the investigation and the acceptance of new implementation arrangements for the bridge, which will give co-financiers like the World Bank greater oversight of procurement processes.
The World Bank says it will only reinstate funding if these measures are taken and there is a positive report from the external panel. The panel's findings will also be shared with the Government of Bangladesh.
"The government of Bangladesh has been informed and we will rely on its cooperation to support panel members in determining the completeness, transparency, and fairness of the ACC investigation, " said Dr. Kim.
