Photo: Messenger
The incident of the roof collapse at the under-construction 50-bed upazila health complex in the remote char area of Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali raises serious concerns about the quality of work and the safety of such projects.
The health complex, with an estimated cost of Tk 22 crore, was envisioned to provide healthcare services to approximately 2 lakh people in the Char region. However, the collapse has cast a shadow over the project's integrity and has sparked questions about the construction company's practices.
Prime Construction, a company owned by Patuakhali Zilla Parishad Chairman Hafizur Rahman, has come under scrutiny for its work on the health complex. Despite the significant investment and the project's importance in addressing the healthcare needs of the local population, allegations of poor supervision and absenteeism among the supervising engineer have emerged. The absence of the engineer at the time of the collapse further highlights the lack of oversight during the construction process.
Locals reported that the building's construction was ongoing without proper supervision, leading to concerns about the quality of work. The sudden collapse in the evening, accompanied by a loud noise, suggests that the incident was a result of structural weaknesses. This incident underscores the need for strict adherence to safety standards and the presence of qualified engineers to ensure the integrity of such projects.
The negligence of the contractor and the absence of a health complex in Rangabali Upazila, despite its declaration as an upazila over a decade ago, highlight systemic issues in project implementation. The declaration of Rangabali as an upazila in 2012 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aimed to improve the living standards of its residents, yet the absence of basic healthcare infrastructure until the recent initiative is a cause for concern.
Md. Rahat, the engineer from the contracting company, has attributed the collapse to errors in centering and the inefficiency of the construction workers. However, the use of low-quality materials has also been a point of contention. The district civil surgeon, Dr. Md. SM Kabir Hossain, was unreachable for comment, further complicating the situation.
In response to the incident, a three-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the matter. The committee includes the upazila engineer, the upazila project implementation officer, and the upazila public health engineer. The district administration has vowed to take necessary action upon receiving the investigation report.
Messenger/Fardin
