Published on 12:00 AM, October 12, 2019

Don’t cheat people

President urges public representatives

President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged all to come forward to make the ongoing development works sustainable. 

He made the call at a rally on the Muktijoddha Abdul Haque Government College premises in Kishoreganj. Nagorik Committee of Mithamoin upazila organised the meeting.  

“The government has taken an extensive programme to develop the country. As part of that, many initiatives are being taken to save the hoar areas. People will get the benefits soon,” he said.

“But it is a matter of regret that some people have started building houses next to the under-construction highway, connecting three upazilas of the district,” the president added.

Hamid said such unplanned infrastructure in haor areas will hamper development works.

“It is your responsibility to save the development works as you will get benefit from them. In addition, you will have to take proper approval from the local administration before building any structures there [haor areas],” he said.

Urging people to follow existing environment laws, he warned that the administration will take strict action if anyone violates those.

Terming the haor areas one of the most lucrative tourist spots, Hamid stressed the need for providing visitors with proper facilities. If the areas are developed as tourist destinations, it will also create employment opportunities, he added.

“You will have to remain aware in this regard. If development is not sustainable, we cannot attract tourists,” he added.

The president mentioned that there is also a rise in corruption with the increasing development trend.

He urged public representatives to play an active role in sustaining the ongoing development projects. “Do not cheat people and try to lead an honest life. Then our country will develop, even the haors will prosper,” he said.

Earlier on his arrival at Mithamoin, his birthplace, President Hamid offered fateha at the graves of his parents and relatives after Juma prayers at a mosque, next to his ancestral home in Kamalpur village.

The president arrived at Tarail upazila in Kishoreganj on October 9 on a seven-day visit. He attended two separate gatherings there.

He is scheduled to inspect different development projects including the abovementioned under-construction highway.

During his visit, President Hamid held a series of views-exchange meetings with locals, elected representatives and members of local administration.

Upazila Chairperson Asia Alam presided over yesterday’s programme where secretaries concerned to the president and senior officials of the local administration were also present. Zila Parishad Chairman Zillur Rahman, Public Prosecutor Shah Azizul Haque also spoke at the event.