Govt upgrading Coast Guard for new responsibilities: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is upgrading Bangladesh Coast Guard to enable it for carrying out new responsibilities in future.

"Our government is working tirelessly to build the capacity of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) through its own manpower recruitment activities and force restructuring," she said.

The premier said this while addressing the ceremony of the 27th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard Day-2022 at Coast Guard Headquarters in capital's Sher-e-Banglanagar. She joined the function virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

She said the high-tech ships, hovercrafts and high-speed boats will soon be added to the force to modernise and strengthen Coast Guard.

Moreover, initiatives are being taken to establish a digital connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-I to bring a ground-breaking change in the communication system of the force in the deep sea, she added.

"Coast Guard will be able to meet the challenges of the 21st century with the incorporation of these modern technology-enriched ships and developed communication systems," she hoped.

Sheikh Hasina said the role of Coast Guard is increasing for maintaining the overall law and order situation in the vast coastal areas and marine waters, protecting fisheries, ensuring security of the country's seaports, anti-smuggling and anti-drug operations, as well as protecting life and property of coastal people during natural disasters.

Mentioning that Awami League (AL) government has always been directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard, she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.

Assuming power in 1996, she said, AL government took a massive initiative in expanding Coast Guard's activities in the country's coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of vessels and building infrastructure.

Following this, she added, since 2009 various infrastructures including coastal crisis management centre, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases, officers' mess, sailors' quarters and administrative buildings have been constructed at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country.