In the past, people willingly gave up their own land for roads and other development works in their areas, but a culture of grabbing government land has now emerged, said Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam on Sunday.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a tree-planting programme in the Japanese Bazar area of Kadamtali police station in the capital.
“We are seeking your cooperation for your own needs. There are problems with roads and electricity here. The State Minister and I were sent to inspect the area and take measures after seeing the situation on the ground. We are making an integrated plan for the development of this area,” Abdus Salam said.
Urging city residents to become more aware, he said canals have been encroached upon in different areas.
“If all the waste from mills and factories is dumped into drains, how will the drains remain functional? Factory waste must be kept at designated places in accordance with specific rules so that sanitation workers can easily remove it,” he said.
“We must save our canals at any cost. We must perform our civic responsibilities ourselves,” he added.
Speaking about social protection, the DSCC administrator said society has become saturated with drugs.
“We have to build a united resistance against them through a social movement,” he said.
Criticising the misrule and policy decisions of the previous government, Abdus Salam said, “Jamaat, NCP and all political parties are saying that massive looting took place in the country in the past and banks were emptied. Although ordinary people deposited money in banks, they are now unable to get it back.”
Regarding the power deal with Indian company Adani, Abdus Salam said, “The Indian company that received a power contract during the previous government has now suddenly stopped supplying electricity in some parts of the country.”
He sought direct cooperation from ordinary people alongside the city corporation and the government to resolve these problems.
Also present at the programme were reserved women’s seat MP for Dhaka-4 Sultana, Dhaka city BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Joint Convener Haji Monir Hossain Chairman, Haji Mir Hossain Mirus and local BNP leaders and activists.