Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne has said that the BNP government now faces the task of clearing the “garbage” accumulated over the past 17 years.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists around 11:00 am on Friday (March 13) after inspecting canal excavation activities in the Mandari Bazar area of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila.
Annie said that since the country now has an elected government, work across all sectors will move forward under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.
He added that canals will be cleared of encroachment as part of the excavation programme. “When the canal excavation begins, cooperation from conscious citizens will be essential. As a patriotic government, we seek the support of the people,” he said.
According to the minister, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Dinajpur on March 16, where he will formally inaugurate the excavation of the Sahapara Canal in Balrampur under Kaharol Upazila. The canal is about 12.5 kilometres long.
He said the government has launched a nationwide canal excavation programme and that he is currently inspecting three canals in Lakshmipur.
Annie emphasized that canals must first be cleared of waste and illegal encroachment before excavation can be effective. “Only then will the long-standing expectations of local residents be fulfilled. Otherwise, people will not receive the intended benefits,” he said.
