Development activities: Work together to overcome slowdown

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged all to work together to continue the country's progress though the development activities have been slowed down due to the global crisis stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the pandemic.

Addressing a programme marking the inauguration of the Madhumati Bridge in Narail and the third Shitalakkhya bridge in Narayanganj yesterday, she reiterated that the country never wants a war with any country, rather wants peace.

The PM stressed the need for using the money earned from selling firearms for the welfare of the children.

Hasina, who joined the event through videoconferencing from her office in the capital, said her government is working tirelessly for the overall development of the country's communication system as its advancement largely depends on it.

"The two newly inaugurated bridges will play an important role in the development of Bangladesh and immensely intensify the country's socio-economic advancement."

Expressing happiness at the opening of the two bridges, she greeted Japan and Saudi Arabia for their help in constructing those.

She said she named the Kalna bridge as Madhumati Bridge as it was built over the Madhumati while the third Shitalakkhya Bridge was named after AKM Nasim Osman as he was a valiant freedom fighter and he made great efforts to construct the bridge.

Hasina said the Awami League government also constructed the Shitalakkhya-1 and -2 bridges.

She said her government gave priority to developing the communication system, generating employment and expand trade and commerce to ensure the overall progress of Bangladesh.

With the opening of the newly constructed bridges, international links particularly with South Asian countries including Nepal, Bhutan and India would be strengthened further, the PM said, adding that this would help boost trade and commerce and the deprived areas of the country's south and south-western regions would also be developed further.

Hasina said her government has opened the country's Chattogram and Mongla seaports alongside the international airports in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet to friendly countries for mutual benefits.

She said her government with the help of the almighty Allah and courage from the people built the Padma Bridge with own finance, confronting all conspiracies including false allegations of corruption.

Hasina, also the Awami League president, said her party always comes to power winning people's mandate through elections. "We were voted to power and we engaged ourselves in serving the people."

She said her party maintained the democratic process in the country.

The PM later exchanged views virtually with the people, local representatives and government officials from Narail, Gopalganj and Narayanganj.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan also spoke at the function, moderated by PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus.