The government has undertaken 93 projects to tackle river erosion in Kurigram, with work on 26 embankments nearing completion, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said on Saturday.
He said emergency measures had also begun ahead of the floods to protect homes and communities threatened by erosion.
“The BNP government under Tarique Rahman’s leadership does not want people’s homes to be swallowed by rivers. That is why we have started emergency works before the floods,” Farhad said.
“I am from this region, so I have a special attachment to the area.”
He made the remarks while addressing local residents at a roadside gathering during a visit to the erosion-hit areas of Uttar Gendar Alga and Sukherbati in Roumari upazila of Kurigram on Saturday.
Assuring residents of a permanent solution to river erosion, the state minister said measures had been taken to tackle erosion caused by floods and excessive rainfall.
He said instructions had been issued to place geobags on an emergency basis in affected areas to contain erosion.
Turning to corruption in the Water Development Board, Farhad warned that irregularities in erosion-control projects would no longer be tolerated.
“The prime minister has said we will first bring corruption down to a tolerable level and then bring it down to zero,” he said.
“There is no longer any scope for dumping 100 bags and counting them as 200. Nor is there any scope for reducing the weight of the bags. Every one of these things is paid for with your money. Do not leave everything to the engineers and contractors.”
Farhad also accused what he called “fascist forces” of engaging in fresh conspiracies after “destroying and looting” the country over the past 17 years.
“Just as we witnessed the Liberation War in 1971, we also witnessed a historic struggle in 2024. The historic charter of the July Mass Uprising will be implemented swiftly,” he said.
The state minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had been working with all concerned in a united manner for the welfare of the people during the government’s first five months in office.
Kurigram-4 lawmaker Mostafizar Rahman, Kurigram-3 lawmaker Barrister Mahbub Salehi, reserved-seat lawmaker Suraiya Zerin Rony, Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath and Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan were present during the visit.
District BNP Convener Mostafizar Rahman, Member Secretary Sohel Hossnain Kaykobad, Joint Conveners Hasibur Rahman Hasib and Shafiqul Islam Bebus, alongside other officials, were also present.
