The Local Government Division has approved a China visit for three officials to learn how to run and maintain five VIP mobile toilets purchased for Dhaka South City Corporation.
According to an order issued on September 14 and signed by joint secretary Mahbuba Ireen, the officials are senior assistant secretary Md Faruk Hossain of the division and the city corporation鈥檚 assistant engineer (mechanical) Mohammad Nuruzzaman and sub-assistant engineer (mechanical) Mohammad Zakir Hossain.
The seven-day training, scheduled for October 27鈥揘ovember 2, will be hosted by Shandong Quanbai Intelligent Manufacturing Company Ltd, the Chinese manufacturer of the toilets, which will also bear the travel costs.
Documents show that five mobile toilets were bought this year for Tk 7.02 crore, each costing Tk 1.40 crore, under a project titled Modern Equipment for Road Repair/Maintenance, Waste Disposal, and Installation of Mechanised Parking to Reduce Traffic Congestion in Dhaka South City Corporation. The contract was awarded to Faridpur Engineering Works.
The project director, Md Anisur Rahman, also the city corporation鈥檚 superintendent engineer, hung up the call when he was asked about the purpose of the toilets and the need for the visit.
Corporation officials said the VIP mobile toilets would be used mainly at events attended by VVIPs, including the president and prime minister.
鈥楾he mobile toilet is engine-powered and can be driven to any location,鈥� said Md Mahaboob Alam, executive engineer of the corporation鈥檚 waste management division, who is working on the project鈥檚 technical side. He added that the engine-fitted vehicles were assembled in China but would be imported from Japan.
Project documents show that each toilet will feature three centrally air-conditioned compartments and two urinals.
Facilities will include marble-decorated basins, toilet paper and hand cream holders, a geyser, automatic air fresheners, ventilation systems, automatic hand dryers, and towel rails.
The delivery is scheduled for December 30.
Mohammad Nuruzzaman, one of the three officials cleared for the China visit, said on September 25, 鈥楾he visit is meant to check whether the manufacturer is complying with the specifications and to understand how the toilets operate.鈥�
The city corporation already has three mobile toilets, but those units lack engines and have to be towed to locations, officials said.
The project will cost Tk 333.33 crore, of which Tk 299.99 crore will come from government funds and Tk 33.33 crore from the city authorities.
A circular issued by the Chief Adviser鈥檚 Office on March 23, however, instructed government officials to avoid foreign trips funded by contractors or suppliers.
