Public Administration Adviser to the prime minister and BNP national standing committee member Md Ismail Zabihullah has said local resources and production must be effectively linked to the market system.
He stressed that potential resources, production, and economic activities in every area must be identified to ensure their optimal utilisation. Taking proactive and leadership roles in discovering and implementing new local development opportunities is essential, he noted, adding that this would contribute to revitalising the local economy, creating employment, and improving people’s living standards.
Speaking as the chief guest at the closing and certificate distribution ceremony of the 56th and 57th Development Administration and Management Training Course for fit-listed upazila nirbahi officers organised by the BCS Administration Academy on Thursday, the adviser urged officials to take proactive roles in local development.
A transparent, accountable, and efficient public administration must be built to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s philosophy of state governance and development thoughts. A state system must be established where there is no scope for corruption, money laundering, and misuse of public resources, he added, urging officials to play an active and responsible role like a field marshal in executing the election manifesto, said the public administration adviser.
The field administration must work sincerely to achieve the targets set under BNP’s election pledges of raising per capita income to $4,500 by 2031 and building a $1-trillion economy by 2034. To this end, the economic activities of every upazila must be linked with national development, he added. Alongside ensuring the proper utilisation of government allocations, the benefits and effectiveness of investment in development projects must be carefully considered, he added.
The adviser called for identifying promising young men and women, students, and social development workers at the local level to involve them in the development of the state and society.
Addressing young officers, he said they must adopt new concepts, make timely decisions and show courage in discharging their duties. Furthermore, they must acquire skills in the effective use of artificial intelligence and information technology, observing that leadership does not mean merely issuing orders, but empowering others and moving forward together with everyone.
He added that one of the government’s key commitments is to build an efficient, transparent, accountable, and professional public administration. A firm stance must be taken against irregularities and harassment, he said, stressing that officials must work in coordination with public representatives, civil society, and local people of various professions. Noting that the success of an upazila nirbahi officer will be determined by how many ordinary people’s lives have been made easier and how much public trust in the administration has increased. He urged officers to view the post not merely as a job, but as a sacred trust bestowed by the people, and to discharge their duties with honesty, dedication, and responsibility.
Officers must demonstrate honesty, intellect, skill, and competence in executing the government’s election manifesto. They must work with a leadership mindset, taking everyone along, while giving the highest priority to protecting the public interest and fulfilling public expectations, said Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration while speaking as the special guest.
Md Abdur Rouf, NDC, rector (secretary) of the BCS Administration Academy, presided over the function while faculty members of the academy were also present.
