Motakabbir Ahmed, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, formally assumed his role as administrator of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh on Tuesday.
According to the ATAB officials, he arrived at the office at 11:30am and the officials of the association welcomed him with flowers.
Upon taking charge, he stated that during his tenure, he aimed to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election and will work on behalf of the general members in collaboration with聽the government. Earlier, on August 4, the Ministry of Commerce appointed Motakabbir Ahmed as administrator after dissolving ATAB鈥檚 executive committee over allegations of corruption and irregularities.
According to the order, he must conduct a fair and impartial election within 120 days and hand over responsibilities to the newly elected committee.
鈥業 would carry out the duties entrusted to me by the government with transparency and integrity,鈥� he added.
He also stated that on August 7, he initially came to the office, but it was locked, so he had to return.
On Monday, he was informed that the office had reopened, allowing him to begin his first official workday on Tuesday. He told the ATAB members that no one should attempt to misguide him beyond the rules, and he wants to hear from all 4,000 members.聽
鈥業f there has been any irregularity, I would first examine the office鈥檚 legal jurisdiction before taking any action. From today, the office would operate with transparency and honesty,鈥� he added. Regarding the alleged irregularities involving Flight Expert, he stated that it was his first day and he would study the laws and regulations before taking the necessary steps.