Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said the country must clear the “mess of the past 17 years” as part of efforts to restore proper governance and development.
He made the remarks on Friday while inspecting Rahmatkhali canal, Wapda canal, Joksin canal and Mandari canal in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.
“Bangladesh did not have an elected government for 17 years. We have to clean up the mess accumulated during that period,” he said.
The minister also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation programme on March 16 at Sahapara canal in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur.
“We have taken this programme across the country,” he said.
Referring to former president Ziaur Rahman, he said canal excavation initiatives during his tenure had brought significant benefits.
“As a result, agricultural production doubled and fish farming expanded. Overall, we were able to make the area self-reliant,” he said.
The minister said the benefits of canal excavation would not be achieved unless garbage and waste blocking the waterways are removed.
“There is a large amount of waste and debris in canals. If these are not removed, we will not get the expected benefits from excavation,” he said.
He added that canal excavation will continue alongside efforts to remove illegal encroachments and waste dumping from waterways.
