Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina onWednesday said Bangladesh will construct the much-talked-about Padma
Bridge with its own fund, ifnecessary.
"We'll go for it with ourown fund, if needed," she informed parliament amid table thumping by MPs.
Hasina said she already had ameeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor, the Economic Relations Division and FinanceSecretary on Tuesday regarding funding of the project.
"Our economy isn't in thatmuch bad shape. I asked them how much money it (Padma Bridge) will require. Ialso enquired about using our own reserve for this purpose by taking one or twobillion dollars a year," she told the House in response to a supplementaryquestion from independent lawmaker M Fazlul Azim (Noakhali-6) during the PM'squestion-answer session.
The Prime Minister mentioned thatthe country which can move forward on its own strong feet during the globaleconomic recession can also go forbuilding a mega project like Padma Bridge with its own fund.
"At this time of recessionmany countries across the globe feel the pinch, but Bangladesh is movingtowards the right direction," she said adding, "Inshallah, we'llstart the construction work on the Padma Bridge."
About Malaysian proposal for theconstriction of Padma Bridge, she said, "Any proposal will have to beacceptable to the country and its people first."
About corruption allegation inthe bridge project, she asked, "How can corruption take place in a projectfor which not a single paisa from the fund has been released."
She said the government removedthe Minister, the Secretary and the Project Director when the World Bank raisedcorruption concerns.
"This is exception. Nocountry in the world did so (removal of minister, officials) what we did. Wedid it for the sake of transparent investigation."
Hasina also said that even thethen BNP government did not take any action or remove any minister despitetheir involvement in corruption. "Our aim is to serve people, not to makemoney by assuming power."
Mentioning "corruptpractices" within the World Bank, the Prime Minister said, "I thinkit should be investigated to identify who are actually behind it."
The Prime Minister said thecountry has 16 crore people and 80 lakh more living abroad for theimplementation of the Padma Bridge.