CHATTOGRAM, Oct 12, 2019 (BSS) – Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed, said the present condition of the Karnaphuli River was horrible and it was doubtful whether it will sustain if the situation persists.
He desired immediate protection for the river without any failure. The Land Minister disclosed this as chief guest while addressing a roundtable meeting on the occasion of 21st founding anniversary of Channel -I arranged at Ferringhee Bazar, Fisheries ghat this afternoon.
The minister said it was impossible for the government to do everything and the GDP increased to 7.8 percent under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Jabed said foreign exchange reserve increased, employment scope increased and infrastructure development is going on.
He called upon all to change the mindset aimed at sustaining the output. The land minister also mentioned about the responsibility of the Chattogram Port (CP) to sustain navigability at any cost because CP is a God gifted port and the age of this port was near about 2, 100 years.
He said this Karnaphuli River is very important for the country and it should be protected. Government has also taken a number of development programs centering on the Karnaphuli River, he added.
The Minister also advised the port chairman for protection of the river and emphasized the need of dredging.
Jabed urged CP authority to take responsibility of the river for renovation and dredging. The Minister also emphasized the need of coordination among the service bodies and the concerned ministry to go ahead with consolidated plans and programs instead of fragmented plans.
The Land Minister assured all sorts of cooperation to the Port authority to sustain the navigability of the river. City Mayor AJM Nasiruddin, Port Chairman Rear Admiral Zulfikar Aziz, Chairman of CDA Jahirul Alam Dobash, Editor of Dainik Azadi M A Malek, Managing Director of Chattogram WASA AKM Fazlullah, Vice President of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries Torafdar Ruhul Amin, first Vice President of BGMEA MA Salam graced the occasion as special guests.
Journalist Aliur Rahman presented the key note paper while Bureau Chief of Channel-I Chowdhury Farid delivered the welcome speech.