Not a single contractor bid in two tenders called by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to transport 75,000 tonnes of MOP (muriate of potash) fertiliser within the country. Bidding closed at noon on Tuesday, 29 September, with no offer submitted, the Daily Naya Diganta reports.
According to BADC sources, a tender to move 40,000 tonnes of MOP was advertised in national dailies on 16 September, and a separate tender for another 35,000 tonnes the same day. Both closed at noon on 29 September.
Several contractors who usually take part allege that fear had been spread in advance among members of the Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) who haul fertiliser, so that none of them would go to BADC to bid. They claim a group led by a BFA director, described as a follower of a leader of a political organisation, was behind it. None of the accused bid either.
The leaders concerned could not be reached for comment, and the contractors making the allegations declined to be named. BADC chairman Md Azizul Islam and general manager (fertiliser management) Azim Uddin did not answer repeated phone calls.
BADC sources said the corporation must now re-tender and start the hiring process again. If contractors are not appointed in time, imported MOP could reach warehouses around the country late, with knock-on effects on supply in the field.
With fertiliser demand rising in the season, even a small delay in transport can strain supply, and those involved say it should be investigated why no one bid and whether pressure was applied.
Source: Naya Diganta
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