Commerce, Industry and Textiles and Jute Minister Khondkar Abdul Muktadir has called for forming local committees to monitor development projects and prevent irregularities and corruption.
He said local residents should regularly oversee the quality and progress of development works in their areas to protect their own interests.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the Surma River bank protection project at Kanshail in Sylhet city on Wednesday morning.
Muktadir said allegations of irregularities and corruption in government development projects were often reported. To prevent such incidents, local committees could be formed to monitor project implementation. He suggested including mosque imams, headteachers, engineers and prominent local residents in the committees.
“You should regularly check the quality of the work being carried out. If I do not remain vigilant about ensuring my own rights, no one else will do it for me. Remember this,” he said.
The minister said taking permanent measures to prevent erosion of the Surma River and Chengerkhal was one of the key commitments in their election manifesto. He said after taking charge, he visited erosion-affected areas with Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and relevant officials. Following the visits, decisions were taken to implement both emergency measures and permanent projects to address river erosion.
Muktadir said the first phase of the plan had begun and other projects would be launched gradually. He said bank protection works would be carried out at several points along the Surma River, including 300 metres at Mirer Chak, 400 metres at Mendibag, 550 metres at Kanshail, 500 metres at Tuker Bazar and 500 metres at Mirergaon.
He added that plans also included re-excavation of the Kushiyara River, 23 kilometres of re-excavation of the Basia River, 505 metres of bank protection at Naya Gaon on the Goain River and 800 metres at the Marine Academy area of the Sari-Goain River. The plan also includes 3.2 kilometres of dredging work.
The minister said a project worth around Tk4,700 crore had been taken up to address waterlogging in Sylhet city.
He said a key component of the project was constructing embankments and roads along 17 kilometres on both banks of the Surma River.
“These infrastructures will not only help tackle floods and waterlogging but also create walking spaces for city residents,” he said.
The minister said Sylhet city lacked adequate walking areas and that development of the riverbanks could turn them into attractive destinations for residents and tourists.
He said development work was not the responsibility of a single person but a collective effort. Such projects should be implemented through coordination among officials at different levels of the government.
He said the Sylhet City Corporation administrator would have to lead the implementation process, with support from all concerned.
Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain, General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Sanaul Kader Khan and party leaders and media representatives were present at the event.
