Sarwar Azam Manik, Cox’s Bazar
Despite a transfer order, Md Golam Mortoza Hossain, acting director of Cox’s Bazar Airport, has reportedly not left his post. Airport sources said he was still at the airport until Friday night, although Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) headquarters ordered him to be immediately relieved on Thursday (20 August) afternoon.
In an office order issued from CAAB headquarters on 9 August, Hossain was directed to join CAAB’s ATM department. Under the same order, Sabera Rahman, director of the Chairman’s Secretariat, was to be attached to Cox’s Bazar Airport. The order, signed by CAAB Assistant Director Md Tiran Hossain, stated he would be deemed relieved from the afternoon of 20 August 2026.
However, it has been alleged that Hossain did not leave after the deadline and has been lobbying various quarters to have the transfer reconsidered or blocked. Previous transfer attempts were reportedly also thwarted through lobbying with influential quarters. Airport sources said he has remained at the same workplace for nearly five years since becoming manager during the Awami League government; the post was later upgraded to director, after which he has served as acting director.
A written complaint submitted to the CAAB chairman on 16 July accused him of irregularities, corruption, arbitrariness and abuse of power. It alleged he took money on promises of securing promotions, committed irregularities in overtime allocation, gave excessive overtime to preferred individuals, collected money from contractors through intimidation, and misused government fuel for generators. The complaint also alleged irregularities in the VIP lounge, including taking Tk 200,000 a month as a bribe and assigning a preferred person to operate it instead of the regular person responsible.
The complaint further alleged that money was collected for VIP passengers' snacks, procurement irregularities occurred when government goods were bought without following specifications, and numerous buildings were constructed on airport land over the past two to three years. It called for an investigation into authorities' role and alleged that effective measures had not been taken to prevent private occupation of airport land. It also claimed money was taken from hotel and resort owners and NGO officials in exchange for VIP facilities.
The complaint further claimed that previous transfer attempts had been blocked through political and influential quarters, alleging that two local BNP leaders were given Tk 500,000 to lobby a minister on his behalf. However, no documents, transaction records or eyewitness accounts were cited in support of this allegation, so an administrative investigation is needed to establish its veracity.
According to CAAB's latest order, Hossain was to be relieved on 20 August, with Director Sabera Rahman attached to the airport in his place. His reported continued presence has raised questions over whether the order is actually being implemented. The complainants called for an impartial investigation, with action if the allegations are proven and against the complainants if they are found false.
Several attempts to contact Hossain for comment were unsuccessful. The key question now is whether CAAB's stand release order will ultimately be implemented or once again halted through lobbying.#EK
