He underscored the need for creating mass awareness about the health risks in using unhealthy latrines and said all concerned have to discharge their obligations with sincerity to achieve the goal in this field.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a meeting to exchange views organised by City Corporations Taskforce on Ensuring Sanitary Latrines for All by 2010 at Nagar Bhaban.

Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka chaired the meeting while State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Ziaul Haque Zia and secretary of the ministry AHM Abul Kashem were present.

DCC chief executive officer Habibur Rahman presented a survey report on sanitation in the city. Ward commissioners, representatives of different government bodies, non-government organisations (NGO) and donor agencies took part in the open discussion.

Bhuiyan said sanitary latrines for all in the city are, however, possible much earlier than the stipulated time.

He asked the authorities concerned to ensure good drainage, sewerage and water supply systems in the city. He also asked them to take steps to recover the canals in the city, ensure navigability of the rivers in and around the city and look into water and sewerage facilities for the place before erecting a building on it.

He said if we failed to ensure proper water and sewerage system in the city it would become unworthy for habitation very soon.

He assured of government help in solving the problems in coordination between Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authorities (WASA) and City Corporation.

Khoka underscored the need for proper coordination among different bodies providing utility service for the city dwellers.