Take measures to control mosquito, PM Hasina to DSCC, DNCC mayors

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina administers the sworn in of Dhaka North City Corporation mayor (L) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina administers the sworn in of Dhaka North City Corporation mayor (L) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the newly elected mayors and councillors of Dhaka North and South city corporations to take effective measures in advance to control dengue, an Aedes mosquito-borne disease, ahead of the rainy season.

“Dengue is now appeared as a problem. You (newly elected mayors and councillors) will have to take measures against the mosquito from now,” she said.

The prime minister was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected mayors and councillors of the DSCC and DNCC at her office (PMO) in the capital this morning.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina takes part in a photo session with DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam and councillors at her office (PMO) in Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina takes part in a photo session with DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam and councillors at her office (PMO) in Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

She also asked them to ensure proper utilisation of insecticides in controlling the Aedes mosquito, saying, “You will have to make your best possible efforts in checking dengue keeping in mind that mosquitoes can’t eat up your votes.”

The prime minister also asked them to carry out the government directives for the welfare of the people in their localities.

She also asked them to take necessary measures to check coronavirus in line with the government initiatives.

In this context, Sheikh Hasina said the government has already dedicated a hospital and given required training to physicians and nurses as part of the precautionary measures.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina takes part in a photo session with DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and councillors at her office (PMO) in Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina takes part in a photo session with DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and councillors at her office (PMO) in Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

Earlier, the prime minister administered the sworn in of DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam at Shapla Hall of the PMO.

Local government, rural development and co-operatives minister Md Tazul Islam administered the oath of offices to 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats in the two city corporations at the same venue.

The elections to the two Dhaka city corporations were held on 1 February.

Ruling Bangladesh Awami League-backed candidates -- Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Atiqul Islam -- won the elections.

Alongside the two elected mayors, 100 councillors - 75 general councillors and 25 women councillors from 25 reserved seats - were elected in DSCC, while 72 councillors - 54 general councillors and 18 women councillors from 18 reserved seats - in DNCC.

Local government, rural development and co-operatives minister Md Tazul Islam administered the sworn in of 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of DSCC and DNCC at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Local government, rural development and co-operatives minister Md Tazul Islam administered the sworn in of 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of DSCC and DNCC at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

However, the newly elected mayors and councillors will have to wait until the middle of May to take charge as the five-year tenure of the incumbent representatives of DSCC will expire on 17 May while that of DNCC on 13 May.

Sheikh Hasina called upon the public representatives to oversee the development programmes being implemented in their localities to ensure proper use of the people’s money.

The prime minister said her government will not tolerate any corruption in the development projects, particularly the large scale ones.

“If anyone is found to be involved in corruption, we will not be spared whoever the person is,” she warned.

The prime minister said the ongoing drives against terrorism, militancy, drug and corruption will continue.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the programme organised for the sworn in of two mayors and 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of two Dhaka city corporations at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the programme organised for the sworn in of two mayors and 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of two Dhaka city corporations at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

She called upon the newly elected mayors and councillors to work in their localities to check those as part of the move to save the new generation from the social menaces.

The premier urged the public representatives to work for the welfare of the people saying that victory in polls is not enough rather they (people’s representatives) must win the hearts of the masses.

“So, you’ll have to work for the welfare of the people irrespective of the party affiliations and uphold the trust and confidence that the people have restored on you,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said public representatives would have to work for the development of their respective areas to earn satisfaction of the people.

Spelling out various measures taken for the overall development of the country, the premier said her government has been working for the development of every people.

“We’re now taking village-centric development projects as part of the move to provide all the facilities of city to the rural people,” she added.

The prime minister said her government has been implementing 90 per cent development projects with its own finance, adding that the size of the national budget has increased by seven times during the tenure of the government.

She said her government has been working to strengthen the local government bodies.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the programme organised for the sworn in of two mayors and 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of two Dhaka city corporations at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the programme organised for the sworn in of two mayors and 172 councillors from the general wards and reserved women’s seats of two Dhaka city corporations at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka on 27 February 2020. Photo: PID

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, expressed her profound gratitude to the countrymen for re-electing her party and giving her the chance to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She said that the aim of the government was to materialise the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to turn the country into a Sonar Bangla (golden Bengal).

The prime minister said that the government had already announced 2020-21 as ‘Mujib Borsho’, adding, “None will remain homeless after the Mujib Year.”

She mentioned that the government has adopted Delta Plan 2100 for the future generation of the country.

Sheikh Hasina said that her government has been setting up 100 special economic zones as part of the move for planned industrialisation. “The aim of this move is to restrict setting up industries indiscriminately on the cropland.”

She said that after setting up these economic zones, the country would move towards industrialisation further with employment generation.

The prime minister said her government has been working to transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country by 2041 as dreamt by the father of the nation.