Mazharul Islam Rana, Chattogram
The Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Md. Tajul Islam said that the mayor of the city corporation, the chairman of the district council and the head of the concerned government agencies should take the responsibility for the overall development of Chattogram by coordinating with all the organizations.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a two-day training on ‘City Corporation Administration Awareness’ for Chattogram City Corporation Councilors at the Old Nagar Bhaban organized by the National Local Government Institute in Chattogram on Saturday, November 26.
The minister said that city corporations of many countries of the world build metro rail, flyovers and even airports with their own funds. If other countries in the world can, why can’t we? All the people’s representatives have to take responsibility for the development of Chattogram. This responsibility has to be taken in coordination with all the service providing organizations of Chattogram.
Giving instructions to the councilors of the city corporations, the minister said, “By working through honesty and transparency, you have become the elected representatives of the people to serve the people. To establish justice in the society. Not for pursuing injustice, corruption and irregularities. Good governance, transparency and accountability are needed for the mayor-councilor to work together.”
He further said that besides ensuring civic services, the minister also urged the government to form a committee by dividing each ward into ten sub-zones and involving people from all walks of life. Citizen services must be ensured and brought under proper management.
Referring to Chattogram as the second capital of Bangladesh, the minister said “Bangladesh is proud of this city as the heart of the economy. The contribution of this city to keep the country’s economy afloat is significant and historic. Everyone must work sincerely for further development and prosperity of Chattogram. Md. Tajul Islam further said that those who will do development work including engineers and contractors should be sustainable i.e. quality of work should be ensured. It is not possible to waste money while working, increase time and do low quality work.”
In this connection, the Minister for Local Government further said that “the activities of all the ongoing projects including the canal excavation project are being regularly inspected and monitored by the Ministry. A monitoring cell is working for this purpose. If any irregularity is found anywhere, no one will be exempted. There is no chance of making money by irregularities. Anyone who does so will be brought under severe punishment.”
The state-of-the-art equipment is being brought from Germany to keep the city’s canals clean and tidy, which will also be given to the Chattogram City Corporation, the minister said. He also urged the city dwellers not to throw garbage wherever they are.
He said local government institutions need to be financially viable. Noting that one cannot be dependent on the government, the minister said that the responsibility of the government is to make the people capable of providing revenue. And to get the benefits of development, people must pay revenue. The amount of revenue that is available in Chattogram is not being collected in the normal way. If people are given civic services, they will definitely pay revenue. People have to understand that. People do not have the opportunity to collect revenue by force.
Helaluddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Local Government Department was present as the special guest at the first function presided over by Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation. Also present were AKM Fazlullah, Managing Director, Chattogram WASA, Saleh Ahmed Mozaffar, Director General, National Institute of Local Government, Mostakim Billah Farooqi, Additional Secretary, Local Government Department and senior officials of the Ministry and City Corporation among others.
Later, LGED Minister was present as the chief guest at the second function presided over by Chattogram District Council Chairman Mohammad Abdus Salam.
Earlier, the Minister for Local Government also inaugurated the road from Tiger Pass to Pahartali Rail Line and the digging of a canal from Baddarhat Baripara to Karnafuli River in the city initiated by Chittagong City Corporation.
