Govt works to keep up country’s development spree: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government wants to continue the indomitable pace of the country’s development and it is working to establish a  well-coordinated  modern  communication system, ensure uninterrupted power supply and generate employments.

“We know that development of communication systems, power supply and employment generation are obligatory for the advancement of a country. We have been working keeping these things in mind since assuming power in 1996,” she said.       

The Prime Minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the much-hyped 1,493-metre "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur.

Joining virtually from her office here, she said her government has been working to ensure economic progress of the country and thus change the fate of the masses especially the grassroots people since her party Awami League came to power in 1996.

Briefly describing her government’s initiatives to ensure country’s socio-economic development, she said, “We want the pace of the country’s development to be continued.”   

The Prime Minister said the people of the southern region had been deprived for a long time as they had to come to Dhaka for livelihoods by crossing several big rivers which have the highest currents, risking their lives.

Many bridges have been constructed, including the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Shikarpur-Duarika Bridge and Gabkhan Bridge, which have made the communication between Dhaka and southern and southwestern regions easier.

The premier said the opening of "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" over Kacha River at Bekutia in Pirojpur has established direct communication of Pirojpur with Dhaka.

She said the people can have fresh guava and hog plum (amra) of Pirojpur while the inhabitants of the district can establish food processing industries alongside other factories which would contribute immensely in changing the socio-economic condition of the district and the regions.

The construction of the bridge started on November 1 in 2018. The Roads and Highways Department constructed "Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" at a cost of Taka 894.08 crore.

The Chinese government provided Tk 654.80 crore as project assistance for the bridge while the Bangladesh government spent Tk 239.80 crore.

The bridge helps establish direct road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming also spoke at the opening ceremony, moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.

Later, the premier exchanged views with the local people who joined the programme in two rallies on the two sides of the bridges.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister and also Pirojpur-1 MP SM Rezaul Karim was present at a rally at the west end of the bridge, while Pirojpur-2 MP Anwar Hossain Manju was present at the other rally at the east bank.

Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri made a power-point presentation over the newly constructed bridge.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Bridge would also strengthen road connectivity among Kuakata Sea beach, Payra deep sea port, Mongla sea port and the country's largest land port Benapole.

She said they would develop the Payra port as part of the government’s effort to give the country’s economy a strong footing.

She mentioned that they are attaching priority to developing a modern transport system by implementing various projects to enhance economic progress, saying, “We’re developing the modern transport system to accelerate the country's economic advancement.”

The Prime Minister said her government had increased the total length of highways to 22,000km across the country by upgrading 718 km highways into 4-lane or above, while works are underway to turn over 600 km highways into 4-lane or above.

She said they have been implementing different projects that included metro rail and elevated expressway projects in Dhaka, 20-km Rapid Bus Transit (project) from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangabandhu Tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chattogram and 10-Lane Tongi Bridge Construction projects.

“Once these projects are completed, our economy will get further momentum,” she said.