Mohammad Sohel:
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that floods, tidal waves and natural disasters are a regular reality in river and coastal areas. The government’s main goal in dealing with these disasters is to build sustainable and strong embankments so that the coastal areas are more effectively protected.
He said this while visiting the flood-hit areas in Pekua on Saturday (July 18) afternoon. The Home Minister said that sluice gates are being built in the canals where the mouths are closed for internal water drainage, so that water can easily drain out as needed. Such measures have been taken in various districts of the country including Cox’s Bazar.
The minister also said that embankments and sluice gates are often damaged due to salinity, natural disasters and the effects of time. The responsibility of maintaining these infrastructures is regularly carried out by the designated ministry, Water Development Board and the concerned department.
Referring to some complaints about the sluice gate management, he said that the government has issued new instructions in this regard. From now on, the Water Development Board will not be responsible for the daily management of the sluice gates. Instead, the local administration, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) and the chairman and members of the Union Parishad will perform this duty.
He said that as a result, it will be easier to open the sluice gates at the local level to drain water when needed and to close the gates when needed to prevent the entry of salt water. This will reduce the suffering of the local people and the management of the sluice gates will be more effective.
Earlier, at 11:30 am, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated the construction of 100 houses for the rehabilitation of flood victims at the initiative of Shamsul Haque Foundation at the Pekua Upazila Ground.
At this time, he said that the main goal of the government’s politics is to ensure the welfare of the people. As a government elected by the people’s votes, it is the government’s responsibility and commitment to stand by the people in any danger or calamity. He said that the government has been working keeping this policy in mind.
The Home Minister said that the government has taken up an assistance program not only for families whose houses were damaged, but also for farmers, fish farmers and cattle breeders affected by the flood. Those whose seedbeds, seedlings or agricultural land were damaged will be provided with necessary agricultural inputs including fertilizers, seeds. In addition, assistance will be provided after surveying the damage to the affected fisheries and livestock sectors.
In addition, initiatives will be taken to quickly repair all types of infrastructure including schools, colleges, madrasas, roads damaged in the flood. He also said that the government will always stand by the people of the country and will work to ensure justice, God willing.
The Home Minister sought the prayers of the countrymen for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and said that the government is following people-friendly and poor-friendly policies so that additional pressure is not created in the lives of the common people and government services can be delivered to the doorsteps of the people.
After the program, the Home Minister spoke to the affected family members, inquired about them and inspected the distributed materials.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday for a two-day visit. On the first day, he inspected the flood-hit areas in Chakaria and distributed relief among the flood victims.
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