Govt removes Chattogram Wasa MD Fazlullah

The interim government has removed Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) Managing Director (MD) AKM Fazlullah from his post where he has served for the past 15 years in six terms despite many allegations of irregularities and corruption against him.

The Local Government Division on Wednesday (30 October) issued a notification, signed by Deputy Secretary Abdur Rahman, regarding his removal and annulment of his contractual appointment. But the matter came to light on Thursday (31 October).

In the same notification, it was announced that Muhammad Anwar Pasha, the director of Local Government at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner's Office, has been temporarily appointed as Chattogram Wasa MD in addition to his own duties.

Born on 6 February 1942, Fazlullah, 82, passed BSc in Engineering from Lahore and was appointed as assistant engineer at Chattogram Wasa in 1968. He retired in 2000 as an executive engineer.

However, after Awami League came to power, he was appointed on 6 July, 2009, as the chairman of the Chattogram Wasa Board for one year, but he served in that position for two years.

In 2011, Fazlullah was appointed as the Chattogram Wasa MD when the position was created following the restructuring of the board. Since then, he managed to extend his term six times in the past 15 years.

During his long tenure, which is the same as the Awami League government's rule since 2009, many complaints of irregularities and corruption were raised against Fazlullah.

In a media statement on Thursday, the Chattogram CAB leaders said that during his time, Fazlullah increased water prices more than 14 times, burdening the people of Chattogram. Even now, one-third of the city is deprived of water. Every implemented and ongoing Wasa project has been riddled with irregularities and corruption, they said.

Moreover, Fazlullah has allegedly been involved in numerous irregularities at Chattogram Wasa, including hiring and promoting his relatives and Awami League supporters and even appointing his daughter's company as a contractor for a sewage project, claimed the CAB leaders.

They also said his relatives and Chattogram Wasa officials have already left the country and Fazlullah himself could attempt to flee the country anytime. "He will flee like the Awami League MPs and ministers if the travel ban is not imposed on him right away."