Public money must not be wasted, Mirza Fakhrul tells govt officials

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for strict accountability and efficiency in the implementation of ongoing development projects under the Local Government Division, stressing that public funds must be used responsibly and without waste.

He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at a review meeting held at the Secretariat in Dhaka, where the progress of various development initiatives under the Local Government Division and city corporations was discussed.

The minister said that all development activities are ultimately designed for public welfare and are financed by taxpayers’ money. Therefore, he emphasised that every taka spent must be justified through transparency, accountability and proper planning.

He instructed officials and project directors to ensure that projects are implemented quickly, cost-effectively and in a people-friendly manner. At the same time, he urged them to maintain quality standards and avoid unnecessary delays in execution.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also warned that while development work enhances the image of the government, any irregularities, inefficiencies or negligence in implementation can harm the reputation of the entire ministry.

He further stressed the importance of completing projects within the stipulated timeframe and adopting modern, sustainable planning approaches to improve public service delivery across urban and local government institutions.

Officials at the meeting, chaired by the Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Shahidul Hasan, included senior ministry officials, representatives of city corporations and project directors. They reviewed ongoing project progress, budget utilisation and future implementation strategies.

The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on disciplined financial management and improved coordination among implementing agencies to ensure that development projects deliver tangible benefits to citizens in a timely and efficient manner.