Pro-AL engineer put in charge of maintaining PM’s residence

A pro-Awami League engineer has been given responsibility for maintaining the Prime Minister’s residence just one and a half months after the Home Ministry designated the building as a Key Point Installation (KPI).

Nimitos Oja, a deputy assistant engineer, was transferred to the Public Works Department (PWD) in Dhaka on August 2. He had previously served for a long time at the PWD office in Faridpur.

The appointment has surprised several senior BNP leaders, who questioned how a former Chhatra League activist could be given responsibility for maintaining a sensitive residence where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman lives with his wife and daughter.

The Prime Minister’s residence is located at House No. 196 on Gulshan North Avenue. The building was designated a “Special Category” KPI by the Security Department of the Home Ministry on July 16.

Following the designation, Oja was transferred to Dhaka PWD Maintenance Sub-Division-2 (Branch-1), which is responsible for the direct maintenance of the Prime Minister’s residence.

An analysis of Oja’s Facebook posts and an investigation by Asia Post found that he is a resident of Gopalganj and had held leadership positions in the Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, during his student days at Government Bangabandhu College.

He spent most of his professional career in Faridpur. Despite being a government employee, he allegedly made Facebook posts expressing support for the Awami League and shared political content in its favour. According to the investigation, he has three Facebook accounts from which he posted and shared such content at different times.

Oja was also involved in the politics of the Diploma Engineers Association.

The PWD introduced a lottery system for transferring officials for the first time in its history. Allegations have surfaced that loopholes in the procedure are being exploited to secure postings for individuals affiliated with the ousted Awami League at sensitive and nationally important installations.

When contacted, Oja told Asia Post that there was “nothing to hide” about his home being in Gopalganj, but denied ever being involved in Chhatra League politics.

He said his transfer was made through a lottery system and that the decision was not in his hands.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said he was not yet aware of the matter.

“I may comment in detail after I am informed about it,” he said.

PWD Chief Engineer Khalequzzaman could not be reached despite several attempts to obtain his comment.

Prime Minister’s Security Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam also could not be reached despite repeated attempts for his comment.