Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman is visiting Chattogram to assess the flood situation and the suffering of affected people on the ground.
He arrived at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram at 7:50am on Friday and briefed journalists at the airport around 8:30am.
Shafiqur said the flood situation in Chattogram was discussed in the Parliament on Thursday. The opposition raised the issue, while the government also issued a statement under Rule 300.
“The purpose of this visit is to see the suffering of flood-affected people closely, stand beside them and raise demands regarding the government’s responsibilities,” he said.
Expressing deep condolences for those who lost their lives in recent floods, landslides and other accidents, the opposition leader prayed for the salvation of their souls.
Speaking about waterlogging in Chattogram city, Shafiqur said, “Chattogram is the commercial capital of Bangladesh. But even a little rainfall causes suffering across the city. Drains overflow, waterlogging occurs and even deaths take place. Solving these problems is the government’s responsibility. As the opposition, it is also our responsibility to present people’s demands before the government.”
Regarding his tour schedule, he said they would travel from the airport to Banshkhali. On their return journey, they planned to visit Lohagara and Satkania before touring several areas of the city.
He said necessary steps would be taken after assessing the condition of affected people and their demands would be placed before the government.
Shafiqur said his party would stand beside flood-affected people despite its limited capacity. He added that relevant party organisations had been instructed to support the families of those killed and conduct relief activities in affected areas.
He said the relief operations were being coordinated centrally.
Highlighting the country’s overall flood situation, Shafiqur said Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions were currently among the worst affected areas.
He warned that the situation in Rangpur could worsen further every year if the Teesta Mega Plan was not implemented.
The Jamaat chief said his party had already strongly raised the demand for implementing the Teesta Mega Plan and that the government had also made a commitment in this regard.
“People now want to see the implementation of that commitment. As the project is a large one, it will take time, but work needs to begin visibly,” he said.
