In order to make public procurement functional and effective particularly in contract implementation it is important to involve public representatives at the local level. The presence of engineers of procuring entities in the district and upazilla coordination meetings is also important for better implementation of contracts.

Such suggestions were made in a virtual workshop at Narsingdi on citizen engagement in public procurement on 23 Janaury 2022. CPTU arranged the workshop facilitated by BIGD under the DIMAPP project. Citizen Engagement is a sub-component of the DIMAPP project which is being implemented by CPTU. Citizen Engagement is being implemented in 48 upazillas by BIGD.

Mr. Abu Hena Morshed Zaman, Secretary, IMED graced the workshop as the chief guest with Mr. Abu Nayeem Mohammad Maruf Khan, the Deputy Commissioner, Narsingdi as the special guest. The Director General of CPTU and Additional Secretary Mr. Md Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury presided over it.

Mr. Abu Nayeem Mohammad Maruf Khan, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Narsingdi speaking as the special guest said, “Increasing civic involvement like citizen monitoring groups in all areas will establish it as a milestone in development process.” Calling on the people's representatives, he said, "People's representatives need to be more active in overseeing the development work."

Mr. Abu Hena Morshed Zaman, Secretary, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Planning said, “If there is harmony and honesty in the words and deeds of the employees of the republic then the people will also participate in the development work spontaneously” He added, “We will all work together for the country. With the joint efforts of all, Citizen Engagement which is a seedling now will grow into a big tree.”

A female citizen committee member Shahida said, “I am glad to be part of such a project. It has given the citizens a platform to be part of government procurement process.” Another male citizen committee member Md. Mazharul Islam Rupom said, “This is a good initiative as it not only enables us to be a part of government procurement process but also has given us a chance to learn about the process and construction elements. For this, we thank the government and BIGD as it has given us a voice.”

A media representative Kazi Anwar Kamal from the Daily Grameen Darpan said, “It is great to see that the government is trying to implement an initiative like this.” He added, “No matter if many barriers come whilst implementing such initiative but if the intention is strong and positive, it will be possible to overcome it.”

Khandaker Nazmul Islam, XEN, EED, Narsingdi said, “I agree that in order to achieve development in field level implementation, citizen engagement can play a vital role.” He added that, “If the citizen profile is correctly acquired, we can work together and go a long way.”

Md. Shah Alam, Senior Assistant Engineer, LGED, Narsingdi said, “We used to discuss our projects with concerned stakeholders long before this sort of initiative but this initiative has made the process very formal.” He further said that, “The input we had received from the stakeholders such as citizens has really improved our work.”

Also present on the occasion was Mr. Rabiul Islam, Program Manager, Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP), BRAC. The event was also attended by representatives of local public procurement agencies, local bidders and GTF representatives, local government representatives, civil society representatives and members of the civil society.

The program was presented by Mr. Md. Shafiul Alam, Senior Communication Consultant, CPTU