Follow Covid guidelines after shots: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday renewed her call to the people to strictly maintain the health protection guidelines even after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

"[You] don't think that all problems will be over after taking the Covid-19 shots. You will have to wear masks always and follow all health guidelines to keep yourselves protected. I hope everyone will do it," she said.

The premier made the call while addressing the Mujib Year Graduation Parade of the 55th Batch Cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy (BMA) in Chattogram. She joined the programme through a video conference from the Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said though the government is implementing the vaccination programme, all the people should follow all health protection guidelines, including using face masks and keeping their hands clean always as these are essential.

She said her government was making all-out efforts to ensure all types of health services for the people and it took appropriate measures to that end.

Talking about the graduating cadets, the PM urged them to brighten the country's image at home and abroad through performing their respective responsibilities with utmost honesty, sincerity and competence.

Hasina asked the cadets to follow all existing laws and rules during their work at home and abroad.

Noting that the ocean transport is the most effective to keep the world economy moving, the PM said the graduating cadets will have to perform a big responsibility not only for Bangladesh but also for other countries as the navigation in the sea is a very challenging job and tough task.

She said her government found Bangladesh Marine Academy in a very poor state, but it was implementing massive programmes to modernise the academy, set up by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina said her previous government had established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University in 2013. The government has recently established four more marine academies which will start functioning this year.

She said the waterway is the most important for riverine Bangladesh and the country is constructing a deep sea port.

The government was creating various educational scopes for the students of the country, the PM added.

"We will have to catch up with the pace of the world. We need to receive the highest education and training to do that. We are creating this scope."

MODERNISING MARINE ACADEMY

About the development of the marine academy over the last 10 years, Hasina said its teaching method was digitised, navigation simulator was set up (in 2019), and the academy got many international recognitions.

Besides, a process is underway to set up Engine Control Simulator at the academy this year for the sake of improved marine engineering training, she said.

The PM also commissioned two training lifeboats at the academy's lake virtually.

Cadet Captain Adnan Hasib Shawon was awarded "Shipping Corporation Medal" for the best performance among 192 cadets of the 55th Batch, while the "Honourable President Gold Medal" was conferred on Chief Cadet Captain Abir Md Sadman Noor for the best all-round performance.

On behalf of the PM, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury handed the medals to them.