Bangladesh
Bangabandhu did everything to give Bangladesh a strong footing: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did everything possible to place the country on a solid foundation.
Momen said this while speaking as the chief guest at an award-giving ceremony organized by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) at the Sylhet Zila Parishad Auditorium on Friday afternoon.
“Under Bangabandhu’s leadership, Bangladesh received recognition from 126 countries within just three and a half years. After the Liberation War, Bangabandhu also sent back Indian soldiers from Bangladesh within just two and a half months. While Bangladesh received membership of all the major global organizations during his rule, his biggest contribution was to present the country with a constitution within just nine months of assuming power,” Momen said.
Also read: Make PM stronger to materialize Bangabandhu’s dream: FM
Momen added that the students need to know about the achievements of Bangabandhu.
“Bangabandhu has worked on all fronts, including education, culture and religion. His policies and strategies in the agricultural sector are still guiding us. Our foreign policy, which is ‘Friendship to all, malice to none’, is also the brainchild of him,” added Momen.
Writer and social worker Selina Momen attended the event as special guest. Fahima Yasmin, Secretary of Sylhet City Corporation, among others, was present at the event.
Also read: Bangabandhu upheld the principle of neutrality in a bipolar world: Anisul
Bangladesh sees another Covid death, 155 cases
Bangladesh reported one more Covid-linked death and 155 cases in the 24 hours till Saturday morning.
With the new number, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,327 and caseload to 2,012,531, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 6.51 per cent from Friday’s 5.68 per cent as 2382 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. However, the recovery rate decreased to 97.24 per cent from Friday’s 97.25 per cent.
Also read: Bangladesh sees one more Covid death, 214 cases
In August, the country reported 32 Covid-linked deaths and 6,689 cases.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 609 million
Baleen whale, dolphin carcass wash ashore on Kuakata beach
A large Baleen species whale and a dolphin carcass washed ashore on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali on Saturday.
The whale was 30 feet long and 6 feet in width while the dolphin was around 5 feet long and 1.5 feet in width, said Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, leader of Patuakhali Dolphin conservation Team.
The decomposed whale was noticed around 9 am near Jhau bagan point and then the dolphin carcass found around 12 pm near Tourism Park area on the beach, he said.
Read: Whale carcass washes ashore on Cox’s Bazar beach
Abul Kalam, range officer of Mohipur Forest Department said after being informed by locals forest officers have been sent to the spot to collect samples and bury the decomposed carcasses.
We have no choice but to win this time, says Fakhrul about movement
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not get defeated in any way this time as they will make their movement a success by braving all obstacles.
Speaking at a discussion, he also warned the BNP rank and file to remain alert so that the ruling party does not get any scope to put them in danger.
"We won’t be defeated by any means this time…we must win this time and we have no choice but to turn victorious. We can't let the sacrifices of Noor-e-Alam, Abdur Rahim, Shaon Pradhan go in vain.”
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the 16th anniversary of the release of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman from jail.
Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, was arrested on March 7, 2007 by the joint forces on different charges, including corruption, from their then cantonment residence.
After nearly 18 months of imprisonment, he went to London securing bail from the High Court in September 3, 2009. He has been staying there since then.
Read: Get ready for final push against AL govt: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Fakhrul said the government is trying to suppress BNP as the party leaders and activists have started waking up across the country. “This is their target and they have started working on it.”
The BNP leader said the government attacking BNP leaders and activists in different parts of the country as they are registering protests against the increase in the prices of oil, pulses, salt and fuel.
“They (govt) are trying to take this movement to a different direction and they are trying to divert people’s attention to a different direction by repeating their acts of arson terrorism and other terror acts. The information minister yesterday (Friday) said that they would go to the outside world with pictures of BNP's terrorist activities," he said.
Fakhrul, however, said the global community is now not paying heed to Awami League’s propaganda against BNP. “It has already been proved through US sanctions on RAB and IGP Benazir Ahmad that their campaigns (against BNP) were not correct. That's why we have to take every step very carefully. Let's not fall into a new plot and give it (govt) another chance to suppress us.”
Referring to a newspaper report, Fakhrul said police inspector Kanak fired at BNP leaders and activists in Naryaanganj by 'illegally' collecting a Chinese Rifle though he was not authorised to use that gun.
About the Narayanganj SP’s comment that Shaon did not have involvement with BNP’s politics, Fakhrul said. “We would like to clearly say that it’s not important which party he belonged to. The important thing is that he was a worker and he was shot dead though there was no such situation there to open fire."
He also warned his party colleagues that the police Awami League government will not give them any scope to take to the streets, but they have to do it together people by exercising the power of the people.
Recalling the political changeover during the 1/11 regime in 2007, he said there was a plot at that time to eliminate the believers in Bangladeshi nationalism and democracy. There was a lot of publicity about minus-two formula at that time. But minus two didn't happen as it happened minus one."
Security tightened along border after firing from Myanmar side: Police
Law enforcement agencies have further strengthened security measures along Bangladesh-Myanmar border at Naikhongchhari point as locals reported firing from helicopters from the Myanmar side today (September 3, 2022), says an official.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe again on Sunday to lodge strong protest regarding the matter, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told UNB.
Around 9:20 am two helicopters and two aircraft appeared between pillar No 40 and 41 under Reju Amtali Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) BOP at Ghumdhum union of the upazila, said Md Jahangir Aziz, Chairman of Ghumdhum Union Parishad.
“Two mortar shells fell 120 meters inside the Bangladesh border,” he said.
For last few days tension has been growing along the Myanmar border with Bangladesh which has also spread among locals at Naikhongchhari and Ghumdhum border areas, said Md Tariqul Islam, Superintendent of Bandarban police.
“Today locals have reported spotting firingfrom a Myanmar helicopter near the border and two mortar shells dropped from it” he said.
The law enforcement agencies including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains alert and intelligence surveillance has also been increased near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, said SP Tariqul Islam.
Also read: “BGB vigilant, none can enter from Myanmar now”
On Thursday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh is better prepared so that none can enter from Myanmar now due to the deteriorated situation in Rakhine state.
The Myanmar side was warned twice in August following mortar shells landing in Bangladesh territory from Myanmar and strong protest was lodged in this regard.
“We do not want to step into Myanmar's provocation or trap,” he said, adding that they (Myanmar side) might have a strategic benefit if they can move in such a unilateral direction.
Also read: MOFA lodges strong protest over Myanmar’s mortar shells into Bangladesh
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Monday summoned Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Aung Kyaw Moe and lodged a strong protest against Myanmar’s mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh territory a day earlier.
“Bangladesh, Vietnam to work together to achieve higher economic growth”
Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien has pledged that his country will continue to work together with Bangladesh to achieve higher economic growth in line with the development goals of the two countries.
“I strongly believe Viet Nam and Bangladesh will maintain a higher economic growth and keep moving towards realizing the targets to be upper middle-income countries in 2030 and then developed high-income countries in the early 2040,” he said.
The ambassador, while speaking at the 77th Vietnamese National Day reception at a city hotel on Friday night, said the two countries will continue to cooperate in living up to the dreams of the Fathers of Nations - Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
He mentioned that as same as the 2030 and 2041 visions of the government of Bangladesh, the National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam set the national development goals for 2030 and 2045.
The envoy said Viet Nam has been and will always be a friend, reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.
“The government of Viet Nam hopes to join hands with Bangladesh and other countries to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, to work towards a peaceful world of more sustained, inclusive and humanistic development,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque spoke as the chief guest at the reception attended by politicians, diplomats, business leaders and cultural activists.
Razzaque laid emphasis on enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries and sought market access of diversified products to Viet Nam from Bangladesh.
Read: Declaration of Independence – Will, aspirations of Vietnamese people
Chinese-Bangladeshi consortium, BPDB to sign deal for Mongla wind power plant tomorrow
A Chinese-Bangladeshi consortium will sign an agreement tomorrow (September 4, 2022) with Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to set up a 55MW wind power plant on build-own-operate basis in Bagerhat’s Mongla.
As per the proposed deal, the state-owned BPDB will purchase electricity from the independent power producer plant for over a period of 20 years.
Earlier, in December 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the proposal of a Chinese-Bangladeshi consortium to set up the wind power plant.
As per proposal of the Consortium of Envision Energy, Jiangsu Co. Ltd., China, SQ Trading and Engineering, Bangladesh and Envision Renewable Energy Limited, Hong Kong will develop the plant under a new special project vehicle (SPV) company Mongla Green Power Ltd.
The project cost is expected to be around $96.597 million.
Also read: Steps to be taken to normalize power supply to flood-hit areas as soon as situation improves: BPDB
State-owned BPDB will purchase the electricity from the plant at a levelized tariff of 13.20 cents, equivalent to Tk 13 per kilowatt hour (each unit).
According to BPDB officials, the government will pay a total of more than Tk 2035.12 crore for the entire contract period against its purchase of electricity from the maiden private wind power project.
The Chinese-Bangladeshi consortium was the lone bidder to participate in the tender process invited for the project, said a BPDB official.
According to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda), only three small wind energy plants, having a total capacity of 2.9MW, have been installed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) so far against its target of setting up wind power projects having total capacity of 1152MW by 2020.
Earlier, BPDB signed a contract in March, 2015 to award a 60MW wind power project to US-DK Green Energy (BD), a joint venture between Taylor Engineering Group of USA, ph-consulting group of Denmark and Multiplex Green Energy of Bangladesh, to set up the plant at Kurushkul, southeast of Moheshkhali River in Cox’s Bazar.
But the sponsor failed to implement the project in the last 5 years.
The Mongla 55MW wind power project is one of the three similar projects undertaken by the BPDB in recent years. The other two projects were planned for Chandpur and Inani beach in Cox’s Bazar.
But its move failed to attract participation of wide-range bidders.
“Only a single bidder — Chinese firm Envision Energy — participated in the tender process for two locations and finally emerged qualified for only one location, Mongla. Again, the government re-tendered for the remaining two locations — Inani beach and Chandpur,” said a BPDB official.
Also read: Despite 40 pc surplus capacity, BPDB buys 6 pc of electricity from pricier rental power plants
The bid submission timeline was extended to December 31, said Md Zahir Ahmed, a senior official of the Bangladesh Power Development Board, which floated the tender. Earlier BPDB invited bids for a 100MW offshore wind power project but could not find takers.
Officials at Sreda and BPDB said a number of studies were conducted in collaboration with international donor agencies to assess the wind energy potentials across the country.
The latest one was conducted by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), with financial support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which identified nine locations, having wind energy potentials across the country.
The locations, having average wind speed between 5-6 metre per second at a height of over 60-80 metre, are Lalpur of Natore, Chandpur, Sitakundu and Parkay Beach in Chattogram, Gouripur in Mymensingh, Madhupur Tea Estate in Habiganj, Dakop in Khulna near Mongla port, Inani Beach in Cox’s Bazar and Badarganj in Rangpur.
The NREL, in its report submitted to the Power Division, also mentioned that the country has a potential of 30,000MW of wind energy as there are 20,000 square kilometre of areas where wind speed is 5.75-7.75 metre per second.
Experts in the renewable energy industry blamed the implementing agency's failure to present location-specific data and information on wind energy in a credible way before potential investors.
IGP Benazir holds 'productive' talks with UN Police advisor
Inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and UN Police advisor Luis Carrilho on Friday held "a productive discussion" on matters of mutual interest at the UN Headquarters in New York.
During the meeting, Carrilho acknowledged contributions of Bangladesh Police in UN peacekeeping missions and praised the professionalism and competency of the force while discharging duties in East Timor, Mali and Haiti, according to a release.
The UN Police advisor also lauded Bangladesh government’s efforts to increase the number of women in peacekeeping missions, terming it as an important step in empowering women and establishing gender equality.
“I hope that Bangladesh Police will continue assisting the UN peacekeeping missions to the highest level in the coming days,” said Carrilho.
Read: US sanctions outcome of USD 100 million project: IGP
On his part, IGP Benazir expressed the readiness of his force in meeting any requirement by the UN peacekeeping missions. He also made various requests, including deployment of special units, recruitment of officers in top posts and exchange of equipment.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina views the UN peacekeeping programme with great importance. In the future, we’ll definitely extend our helping hands whenever needed,” said IGP Benazir.
Brigadier General Md Sadekuzzaman, military adviser to Bangladesh’s permanent mission to the UN, and Nasian Wazed, additional deputy inspector general (DIG) of the overseas and UN operations branch of police headquarters, among others, were present at the meeting.
“Activating Tongi Power Station that tripped moments later, BNP’s only achievement”
Highlighting BNP-Jamaat government’s failure and corruption in the country’s power sector, Prime Minister's ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said the only achievement of BNP was activating the operation of Tongi Power Station through overhauling on September 3, 2005.
Its plaque was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia but the power station tripped even before she could reach Abdullahpur in Uttara after inaugurating it, Sajeeb recalled in a Facebook post accompanied by a visual titled “Reform proposal by Mirza Fazrul quarter: Will BNP revive the power sector that it has destroyed?”
Read: August 21 grenade attack planned in Hawa Bhaban: Joy
“During their tenure between 2001 and 2006, BNP couldn’t add even a single megawatt to the grid. In the name of generating electricity, Tarique’s (BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman) cohorts with a Hawa Bhaban syndicate looted billions by simply erecting electric posts,” said the commentary in the video.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir vowed before media that if they came to power, they would overhaul the power sector, according to the video posted on Friday night.
BGB seizes drugs worth Tk 12 crore in Cox's Bazar
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Saturday claimed to have seized banned drugs worth nearly Tk 12 crore from Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila.
Acting on a tip off, a special patrol team of BGB conducted a drive in Teknaf’s Jaliapara area early this morning.
"The team seized a plastic bag containing 2.1kg of Ice and 30,000 pieces of Yaba worth Tk 11.65 crore from a boat anchored on the banks of the Naf river at 3am," said Lt Colonel Sheikh Khalid Md Iftekhar, Commander of BGB’s Teknaf battalion.
Read: BGB seizes drugs worth Tk 7 crore in Cox’s Bazar
However, no one has been detained in connection with the seizure, he added.