DHAKA, June 17, 2020 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, BNP has been making ‘blind criticism’ and negative statements against the government.
“…BNP leaders have taken the responsibility of spreading falsehood and rumours without standing beside the country and the nation amid the coronavirus crisis,” he said.
He said their falsehood is an attempt to demoralise the frontline coronavirus fighters.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, made the remarks while speaking at a virtual press briefing on contemporary affairs from his official residence here.
Highlighting various initiatives of the government to tackle the coronavirus crisis, he said BNP leaders did not find these initiatives taken to face this global crisis.
The AL general secretary asked the BNP leaders to extend their hands to the government in implementing these initiatives and stand by the country’s people amid the ongoing crisis.
“We’ve worriedly observed that coronavirus infections and transmissions have reached a high level in the country. Virus infections and deaths from COVID-19 are increasing here every day,” he said.
Quader said the World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned of new infections of coronavirus in South Asia and America.
New COVID-19 cases were reported in China, he said, adding that everyone must be aware of the consequences of coronavirus transmissions.
The road transport and bridges minister said people are not maintaining social distancing in markets and without using masks, many people infected with coronavirus are moving freely hiding the information of their infections.
Despite having limitations, he said, the government has been working relentlessly to protect the lives and livelihoods of people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“On the one hand, there is an issue of public security, while the balance of the economy is on the other hand,” Quader said, adding that there are also issues of survival and maintaining connectivity with other countries.
“We need cooperation from all to prevent coronavirus infections. We are getting everyone’s cooperation but some vested quarters are neglecting and disobeying (the government’s instructions) and choosing the path of darkness,” he said.
Noting that red, yellow and green zones are going to be introduced in newly-infected areas of the country through mapping, the AL general secretary said the effective results of the zoning system will depend on proper coordination.
He sought cooperation from all to stop coronavirus transmissions by effectively implementing the new decision of the government.
Quader said effective coordination must be ensued from the capital to the grassroots level and a solid wall of protection must be built to prevent coronavirus.
He said the government has taken steps to implement zone-based lockdowns apart from increasing supply of medical equipment to hospitals and the number of testing centres, and it is trying to utilise all the possibilities.
A dishonest quarter is involved in the false testing of COVID-19 samples, the AL general secretary said, calling upon the law enforcement agencies to take tough actions against them.
The stance of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government is very clear against corruption and irregularities, he said, adding that no corrupt person would get shelter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whatever his or her political identity is.
Harsher punishments have already been taken against the relief plunderers and the government will maintain zero tolerance against medical equipment irregularities too, Quader added.