In Kurigram’s Nageshwari municipality, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and municipal administrator H.M. Khodadad Hossain suspended payment for a road development project worth nearly half a crore taka after confirming the use of substandard materials. The project, awarded to S.T. Enterprise, covered 596 meters from Bismillah Auto Rice Mill to Bhusharkhal Bridge and 110 meters from BC Road to Councillor Mintu’s house. Local residents expressed dissatisfaction over poor construction quality and alleged that a local journalist, Rafiqul Islam, managed the work instead of the contractor.

Following public complaints, the UNO inspected the site and found evidence of irregularities, leading to the suspension of the project bill. Later, Kurigram-1 Member of Parliament Anwarul Islam also visited the site, confirmed the irregularities, and directed that the defective portions be rebuilt and no payment released until quality standards were ensured.

Contractor Shahidul Islam, owner of S.T. Enterprise, stated that journalist Rafiqul used his license to obtain the tender and that he received no commission for the project.