Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, Bangladesh will move forward if Sheikh Hasina is there, there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina, the leader of today's Bangladesh. The one who ignores the bloodshot eyes, the one who can say 'no' and ignores the paws of the big state, is Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina.
The information minister said these things in the speech as the chief guest at the event organized on the occasion of the auspicious opening of the operation of cargo transportation from Chattogram port to various seaports and destinations of Bangladesh under the initiative of England Vessel Owners Association of Chattogram at 7:30 pm on Tuesday (December 19) at Ichamati Hall, Hotel Agrabad, Chattogram.
Is there any other leader in Bangladesh who has the courage to move the country forward like Sheikh Hasina? With such a question, the information minister said, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, we build the Padma Bridge with our own money. Even the World Bank did not think that Bangladesh can do it, Bangabandhu's daughter has shown it. Then World Bank wanted to give money again, she said I don't need money for Padma Bridge, if you want to give money, give it to other projects. That is why the railway bridge is being built again, there; of course, the World Bank is voluntarily giving money.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the Prime Minister has taken various plans for the overall development of the country. As you know, an initiative has been taken to construct a Bay Terminal in Chattogram. The bay terminal will normally accommodate vessels of 12 meters draft, and with a little dredging it will be able to accommodate vessels of 14 meters draft during high tide. Besides, a port has been built in Matarbari to accommodate ships of 18 meters draft. From these two places, small cargo ships will be transported to Payra, Mongla and the industries that are located around Dhaka city. Now as it is done from the Chattogram port.
He said that the Prime Minister has accepted this master plan not only focusing on Chattogram or Bangladesh, but keeping in mind the entire region, Bay Terminal and deep sea port have been constructed at Matarbari. I spoke to the Chief Minister of Tripura, he said, Assam is anxious when they will be able to use the Chattogram port. We have agreements with the government and at the same time infrastructural development. A road has been constructed through Ramgarh, a railway has been constructed through Akhaura. The distance from Chattogram port to Agartala is only 80 km.
The information minister said that the Prime Minister has taken this grand plan with everything in mind. There are many plans around Chattogram, especially when the Bangabandhu Shilpanagar is launched in full swing, there will be employment for at least 15 lakh people. Several industries have already gone into production. By March next year, the country's first electric car will be built there. Dhaka-Chattogram highway is not even four lane, now a six lane initiative has been taken. Along with roads we need to increase water transportation. And water transportation is cost effective. It is environmentally friendly, while keeping our rivers navigable. Railway service has been started from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar via Chattogram. All these initiatives and implementations have beaten people's dreams.
Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan said that business has prospered in the last 15 years. I would like to request the business community; business is something that can be done not only for oneself but also for the society. We all have to keep this country in mind. So, apart from their own welfare, public welfare should also be kept in mind.
He said that the news came from an Indian newspaper, and based on that, a Bangladeshi newspaper printed the news that India was stopping onion exports till March. Within an hour, the price of onion went up, and the retailer at the village level also increased. It is nothing but dishonest businessmen. So the association needs to play a role in preventing such activities.
He also said that in order to continue this development progress of the country, you will go to the polling station in the next election, request everyone to go to the polling station and vote. There has been a lot of excitement about the elections in the country. People's leaders will strengthen Sheikh Hasina's hand by voting on boat symbols.
Haji Shafiq Ahmed, president of the England Vessel Owners Association of Chattogram, was the special guest at the event. Haji Selim MP of Dhaka-7, General Secretary of Chattagram Metropolitan Awami League and former Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Belayet Hossain, President of Water Transport Cargo Agents Association, General Secretary Amol Chandra Das, Acting General Secretary of IVOAC were present as honored guests while Azizur Rahman, Narottam Saha Palash, Kazi Monirul Islam, Khaled Mahmud and others spoke on the occasion.