PM for integrated project to develop southern region
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates the foundation stone of Barisal University yesterday.Photo: PID
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here yesterday that her government has a plan to formulate an integrated project for overall socio-economic development of the country's southern region. “Barisal and the entire southern region were very much neglected as regards economic development. We've a plan to implement an integrated project to change the situation,” she said. Hasina was addressing an opinion-exchange meeting with high officials of Barisal Division at the local Circuit House in the afternoon. Divisional Commissioner Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Momenin presided over the meeting. Awami League advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, principal secretary to the prime minister M A Karim and press secretary to the prime minister Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present. About the potentials of ship-breaking and shipbuilding industries in Barisal and other coastal areas, the prime minister said environment situation must be considered first in case of implementing any such project. If necessary, she said, the government will set up another port in the region for economic uplift of the people. She observed that once the much-awaited Padma Bridge is built, economic activities in the entire southern region will get a big boost. Hasina directed the authorities concerned to take effective steps to increase food production in Barisal to restore its past glory. “In the past, Barisal was known as the granary of the country but these days the accolade has shifted to the northern region,” she said. In this connection, she asked the Agriculture Minister to supply quality seeds to the farmers in Barisal region. The prime minister also informed the meeting that her government is thinking of introducing rail communication in Barisal division. Following a demand from the officials of the law enforcing agencies present at the meeting, she assured taking immediate steps to provide them with river transport to take fast action against the pirates. The prime minister also directed the authorities concerned to stop plying of battery-run vehicles on the roads of the areas as these are not environment-friendly. She directed the LGED engineers and other officials to make the bridges in this region with more height so that boats and other river transports can operate easily when water level rises in the rainy season. When the officials informed that Hijbut Tawhid, a religious organisation, is very active in the Barisal region, Hasina asked them to see whether this organisation is involved with any activities that inspires or patronises militancy.
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