Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said the government is implementing various programmes with the goal of building a self-reliant Bangladesh and completing the unfinished initiatives of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
“We have taken new programmes to complete the unfinished work of Khaleda Zia. This will create a new awakening. If we all prioritise these initiatives regardless of political differences, we will be able to revitalise the rural economy through economic transformation,” he said.
The minister made the remarks on Friday morning after releasing fish fry into Rahmatkhali Canal in Laxmipur as the chief guest.
Later, the district fisheries department distributed fish fry among representatives of 33 government and private organisations for release into ponds.
Anee said Bangladesh was a riverine country where people’s lives were closely linked with fish and agriculture.
“Keeping the goal of building a self-reliant Bangladesh in mind, we are continuing these programmes. Through these efforts, we will be able to strengthen our position further,” he said.
The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had launched several nationwide programmes since taking office, including a tree plantation drive to plant 250 million trees over five years.
“We have also taken up a programme to excavate or re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals. Within the next five years, we will complete the re-excavation of 20,000 kilometres of canals,” he said.
He said releasing fish fry was also part of the government’s broader initiatives.
Referring to former president Ziaur Rahman, Anee said he had undertaken various programmes, including canal re-excavation, as part of his vision for building a self-reliant Bangladesh.
“That was a movement, a revolution,” he said.
The minister said the government was prioritising rural infrastructure development and continuing its programmes as part of its social responsibility.
“Everything is connected with the environment. Rahmatkhali Canal is the lifeline of Laxmipur. We have already continued cleaning the canal. A large amount of water hyacinth has been removed and water flow has improved,” he said.
He added that fish fry were released into the canal as part of a collective social initiative.
Among others, Laxmipur Deputy Commissioner SM Mehedi Hasan, Superintendent of Police Md Abu Tarek, Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board Nahid Uz Zaman Khan, District Fisheries Officer Jasim Uddin, Laxmipur BNP Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman and Bangladesh Football Federation Vice-President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy attended the event.
