Barguna, Aug. 14 (V7N) — Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Muhammad Jafar Arif Chowdhury has returned Tk 37,50,540 in unspent government funds after completing canal excavation projects under a government employment programme for extremely poor communities.
According to project officials, the Department of Disaster Management allocated Tk 77,28,842 on April 8 for excavating a three-kilometre stretch of the West Keowabunia Canal in Kukua Union of Amtali Upazila. Another Tk 51,53,995 was allocated for excavating a two-kilometre section of the Pashurbunia Canal in Haldia Union.
A total of 397 extremely poor beneficiaries took part in the two excavation projects.
UNO Muhammad Jafar Arif Chowdhury supervised the implementation and overall monitoring of the projects. After the scheduled work was completed, the unspent funds were returned to the government treasury.
As part of the initiative, trees of different species were also planted along both banks of the canals to improve their appearance and contribute to environmental conservation.
The UNO’s initiative has drawn praise from local residents. Fakhruddin Tahsin Mridha and Mohammad Rashimul Haque Rimon said returning such a substantial amount of public money after completion of a project was uncommon in Amtali.
They said greater accountability and responsible management by government officials and public representatives could help reduce waste of public funds and accelerate development.
Local residents and project beneficiaries H.M. Kawsar Madbar and Rubel Hawladar said the excavation of the Keowabunia Canal would benefit around 20,000 farmers in the area.
They said farmers often faced irrigation water shortages during the dry season, which affected the cultivation of Rabi crops. The restored canal is expected to improve access to irrigation water and boost agricultural production. The tree plantation along both banks has also improved the area’s appearance, they added.
Amtali Upazila Project Implementation Officer Runu Begum said the excavation work was completed in accordance with the project work order and under the guidance of the UNO. She confirmed that the unspent funds had been returned to the government treasury after completion of the work.
UNO Muhammad Jafar Arif Chowdhury said canal excavation was an important government initiative and that every effort had been made to implement the projects properly.
“Alongside excavating the canals, we planted trees of different species along both banks to enhance the surroundings. After completing the work, Tk 37,50,540 was returned to the government treasury,” he said.
He further said the Prime Minister had invited him and 83 other upazila nirbahi officers to the Prime Minister’s Office for a courtesy meeting in recognition of their work. Discussions at the meeting covered the benefits of canal excavation, environmental improvement and various aspects of upazila development.
According to the UNO, the Prime Minister also provided guidance on accelerating development activities at the upazila level.
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