BTTB Cellphone
Telecoms minister says no foul play in vendor selection
Abu Saeed Khan
Post and Telecommunications Minister M Aminul Haque yesterday denied the allegations of foul play in the selection of two vendors for the $76 million cellphone project of Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB).The BTTB has recommended the names of German equipment-maker Siemens and Chinese Huawei to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for the procurement of equipment without updating it in line with a cabinet committee decision. Khaleda is yet to approve the recommendation. In a hurriedly organised press conference, the minister also dismissed press reports of bid document forgery by Huawei in the project. He said 'it occurred' with another project, adding: "The BTTB has its own way of addressing such issues and we will do that at an appropriate time." The Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement (CCPP) rejected BTTB's mobile phone equipment purchase proposal at a meeting on January 24. Decision number 23 of the meeting asked the state telecoms service provider to invite fresh tenders with revised scope of work and budget. But Aminul said he did not receive the cabinet body's decision and could not explain the basis for resubmitting the rejected mobile phone equipment purchase proposal to the CCPP for further consideration before receiving the decision and updating the proposal according to the committee's resolution. Sources expressed surprise that how the ministry could pursue the proposal without receiving the important committee decision and implementing it. But the CCPP approved BTTB's proposal last Thursday, a move that surprised many. BTTB's members for finance and administration officially objected to processing the deal. But the authorities did not mention the notes of dissent in the revised purchase proposal. The Daily Star recently reported the alleged forgery of the Chinese equipment-maker in another bid. Sources said the report sensitised the Prime Minister's Office which is yet to give final approval to BTTB's purchase proposal favouring Huawei. Sources alleged the telecommunications ministry and the BTTB hurriedly called yesterday's press conference in an attempt to use the media to expedite the prime minister's approval. But Aminul rejected the suggestion at the press conference at Press Information Department, also attended by the telecommunications secretary, BTTB chairman and high officials.
| 
