Quader
No Covid vaccine crisis in the country, says Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said that the government has now enough Covid vaccine in hand to start a nationwide mass inoculation from next Saturday.
At a briefing at his residence the AL leader said there is no vaccine crisis in the country and urged the people not to heed any propaganda by vested interests.
"There is no crisis of the vaccine at present, but a vested quarter is trying to create panic that there is a vaccine crisis. They are also trying to break the morale of the people during the pandemic," he said.
Also read: Mask more effective than Covid vaccine: Quader
Quader said the government's plan is to continue vaccination with the doses available as more jabs will come.
Saying that “There is no room for doubt about this,” he further explained that the vaccine will continue to come in one direction as well as the vaccination programme will continue.
Quader, road transport and bridges minister, said the nationwide mass immunization programme is starting from August 7 and the government has already made necessary preparations to make the campaign successful through proper coordination.
He urged the concerned people to follow the vaccination protocol and be patient in conducting the drive among the villagers.
Quader called upon the administration to make inoculation drive a success at with co-operation of Awami League leaders at district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels. .
Mentioning that Awami League has been by the side of the people since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, Quader said that the leaders and workers of the party will remain with the people as per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Quader defended the re-opening of garment factories even amid lockdown saying it was done in the interest of the economy.
In this regard he attacked BNP General Secretary Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his criticism of the government move. Fakhrul speaks of workers’ interests, while at the same opposes re-opening the factories, he said adding this is self-contradictory.
He said Vietnam has already overtaken Bangladesh in garment exports and this has happened due to Covid-induced production disruptions.
Also read: No irregularity in providing govt incentives to be tolerated, warns Quader
He also said the government is taking decisions in consultation with experts considering the future and welfare of the country.
Mask more effective than Covid vaccine: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urged the people to wear masks for protection against Covid infections saying that the mask is more effective than the vaccine.
Quader was addressing a function at Bangabandhu Avenue on Thursday organized by the party's relief and social welfare sub-committee on the occasion of distributing Covid safety materials among party’s delegates.
He asked the sub-committee to form teams at grassroots level to motivate people to wear masks properly.
Also read: Quader urges BNP to stop spreading lies about Covid vaccine
“We must build fortress of awareness in every house,” he said.
Saying that BNP is constantly lying about vaccines, the AL leader said the country has enough jabs it needs now and more vaccines will come from different countries in phases.
Quader expressed hope that there would be no crisis with the vaccine.
Responding to a question from reporters about wealth statements from MPs and ministers Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is running an honest and transparent government. Her government's stance against irregularities and corruption is very strict and clear.
Quader said that no one including the MPs and ministers is above accountability and the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) is free to investigate and take action against any crime as an independent body.
The AL leader said that the ACC has already taken action against many leaders and activists and MPs, adding that the government has not interfered to protect anyone.
He said none should have any objection in submitting the statement of assets. “I am ready to give the statement of my wealth myself,” he said.
Quader also said that the ACC can also take action if it finds any discrepancy in the tax returns filed every year.
Also read: 'Only program now is to stand by the people': Obaidul Quader
Awami League Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury presided over the function. AL leaders Abdur Rahman, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Reazul Kabir Kausar and Syed Abdul Awal Shamim, Kulsum Smriti MP, President of the Institute of Diploma Engineers MA Hamid and General Secretary Shamsur Rahman also spoke.
Later, the leaders distributed corona protection materials among the delegates.
AL shows zero tolerance to intruders in the party, says Quader
Bangladesh Awami League does not tolerate any intruder in the party and acts promptly if anyone is found guilty of irregularity and violating organisational disciple, the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Wednesday.
“We have never tolerated irregularities and will never do so,” Quader said at a press briefing at his residence.
Read: No political harassment in the country, says Obaidul Quader
Describing Awami League as a huge political organization, from the centre to the grassroots, he said that the party takes immediate action if “intruders” are sometimes found to create trouble.
"We have set the example by taking action not only organizationally but also legally in recent times. The party has been very tough in many cases, including actions taken against Shahed and Papia," he said.
Referring to the strict actions against the party leaders and activists and even the people's representatives for alleged irregularities and corruption, Quader said no ruling party dared to set this type of example before Awami League.
Read: 'Only program now is to stand by the people': Obaidul Quader
He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and the Awami League have already made clear about their tough stance against irregularities and corruption. There are cases either ongoing or under investigation filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission against many members of the party, he noted.
Quader, also the Roads Transport and Bridges Minister, said the government is giving top priority to the protection of human life considering the fact that the Covid fatality rate in Bangladesh is now higher than in neighbouring India.
He said said that every unit of the Awami League is playing a very active role at this time of Covid crisis and helping people.
No irregularity in providing govt incentives to be tolerated, warns Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has asked all concerned to stay alert so that no one can indulge in any irregularity while disbursing government incentives.
“No irregularity will be tolerated in this case,” Quader said during a briefing at his official residence on Wednesday.
Read: 'Only program now is to stand by the people': Obaidul Quader
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced an incentive package of Tk 3,200 crore for the low-income people hit hard by the ongoing lockdown restrictions, and job creation in rural areas, workers of tourism and transport workers and day-labourers, the Awami League general secretary said.
He said there should be maximum attention to make sure that the real victims are enlisted for the incentives.
Of the total amount of the incentive packages, Tk 2,200 crore will come from the national coffer.
Another amount of Tk 1,000 crore has been earmarked to provide loans in the tourism sector with government subsidies, said Quader.
Read: Obaidul Quader slams BNP
He said the initiative of easing restrictions was taken to ease the sufferings of people during the Eid journeys as well as ensure the financial safety of the working people and maintain the pace of the national economy.
Public Transport
Public transports will operate at their half capacities across the country from Thursday as the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, he said.
The minister hoped that the transport owners and workers' organizations would operate their vehicles in compliance with the Covid-related conditions like hygiene rules keeping the current Corona situation in mind.
Read: Obaidul Quader pleased by 'development-friendly' budget
Quader warned that legal action will be taken against the transport owners for collection of extra fare and non-compliance of health guidelines.
Quader ridicules Fakhrul’s claim on Rupganj factory fire
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said that the prompt action taken by the government after Rupganj factory fire should serve as a warning to all others do business putting employees’ lives at risk.
Quader said this while addressing virtually a programme on the occasion of distributing Covid-19 safety materials, organized by the party's relief and social welfare sub-committee at Bangabandhu Avenue here.
He ridiculed BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his comments that the Awami League has been responsible for Thursday’s devastating fire at Hashem Foods Ltd. in Rupganj.
Also read: N’ganj factory fire an incident of murder: BNP
He made light of Fakhrul’s allegation saying the BNP secretary general may “one day blame the Awami League if any one dies in a lightning strike.”
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said that there will be no problem with Covid vaccine. He urged critics to stop talking about an artificial crisis of the jabs.
There are elements which are making up the vaccine crisis with political motive, he said.
He called for burying petty party politics over the pandemic. He said there is now only one politics and that is to stand by the people in this time of crisis. The Awami League is wholeheartedly doing so, he added.
Also read: Locked inside a factory without fire exit, 52 lives go up in flames
Quader said Awami League is the only political party which has stood by the helpless people from the capital to the villages.
He said corona infection is on the rise due to carelessness and negligence of the people. He appealed to the people to maintain health guidelines and wearing masks for their own protection.
Awami League presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury presided over the function while the party’s presidium member Abdur Rahman, organizing secretary Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, relief and social welfare secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, health secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League president Ahmed Mannafi and General Secretary Humayun Kabir also spoke.
Later, the leaders distributed safety protection materials among the representatives of different organisations.
Quader urges vigilance against vested interests
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League, on Thursday said that some elements are overplaying the defects found in the construction of only 24 out of thousands of houses gifted to the homeless by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The government has provided houses for one crore twenty lakh homeless people on the occasion of the Mujib Year, Quader said adding that defects have been found only in 0.25 per cent of the houses.
Read: BNP has lost interest in elections, says Obaidul Quader
At a virtual regular press briefing he urged all to remain vigilant against any motivated propaganda against the noble and humanitarian programme of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The faulty houses will be repaired and rebuilt by the government, said Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister.
Read: Obaidul Quader: Covid vaccines to be collected, no matter what
He said the houses were built on government-owned land (khas land) and in many cases damages occurred as those were built in relatively low lying areas.
He said that an inquiry committee has already been formed on the instructions of the prime minister. Punitive and disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible for the faulty construction.
He also warned that those involved in negligence and irregularities in duty will not be spared.
The Awami League leader said the free housing programme for the homeless is being implemented under the direction and plan of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Quader calls for accepting corona-induced lockdown hardships
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urged the people to endure the “temporary hardships” caused by the strict lockdown the government has imposed to stem the latest surge in corona infections.
Quader’s call came at his regular briefing on Thursday morning as another round of week-long nationwide lockdown got under way with stringent order to law enforcement agencies to either arrest or penalise anyone who violates the restrictions.
Also read: Quader urges party members to help people during lockdown
The AL leader said that many helpless and hardworking people are in crisis due to lockdown, but the government is prioritising their needs and reaching them with assistance.
He called upon the leaders and workers of his party to go door to door and deliver relief items if necessary along with making them aware about use of masks and other safety measures to protect them from the virus.
Also read: Violation of lockdown rules to invite legal action, warns DMP
He also urged the affluent people and private organizations to come forward to help the affected and left-out sections of the society along with the government efforts.
He lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership in effectively tackling disasters and national problems. She has always taken right steps for the welfare of the people, he said.
Recalling the heinous attack on Holey Artisan café in Gulshan on this day five years ago, Quader warned the people to remain about the extremists who undermine the non-communal spirit of the War of Liberation.
Also read: Govt outlines restriction rules ahead of ‘tough’ lockdown
The poisonous teeth of the evil force have been broken, but it has not been completely eradicated, he said.
Quader slams BNP for anti-people conspiracy
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that the BNP has chosen the path of conspiracy to avenge its defeat in both elections and movement.
"If any violent situation is created in the name of movement, Awami League will give proper response on the streets," he warned.
Quader said this while distributing corona protection materials among the representatives of the lockdown-hit districts organized by the Awami League Relief and Social Welfare Sub-Committee on Bangabandhu Avenue.
Also read: BNP desperate to regain power through dark ways: Quader
Calling on the BNP to stand by the helpless people the Awami League leader said BNP does nothing for the people apart from just lip service.
The ruling party second-in-command also commented that those who boycotted the elections can never believe in democracy.
Quader said, the people no longer believe in BNP’s wholesale criticism of the government.
He said that the BNP has no eye to see the development work done by the government.
Also read: BNP has lost interest in elections, says Obaidul Quader
Quader said that BNP gone to a state when they may even blame the government for the deaths of people in lightning strikes.
Awami League Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Education and Human Resources Secretary Samshunnahar Champa, Central Executive Member Syed Abdul Awal Shamim and MP Nurul Amin Ruhul were also present.
Quader distributed corona protection materials among the delegates.
Ongoing lockdown extended upto Apr 13: Quader
The ongoing lockdown will remain in force until April 13 (Tuesday) to stem the spread of Coronavirus, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday.
“The first phase of the 7-day lockdown, which was enforced on April 5, has been extended by two days,” said Quader at a regular briefing.
Besides, the government will go for an all-out lockdown from April 14 which will be tougher than the previous ones, he said.
On Friday, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the government is planning to impose an extremely severe lockdown from April 14 to 20 to curb the transmission of Covid-19.
The government imposed an apparently nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its tougher move to contain the spike in both coronavirus infections and fatalities.
Also read:Govt allows public transport to operate during lockdown
But the government allowed the resumption of public transport in city corporation areas from April 7 as well as reopening shops and shopping malls for five days from April 9 in the face of protests against the lockdown.
Also read:Govt to announce 7-day lockdown as covid cases surge: Quader
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is experiencing the second wave of Covid-19 as people continued to defy health protocols despite warnings both from the government and experts.
On Saturday, the country registered 77 more deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, shattering all of its previous records.
Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
The government is considering imposition of a complete lockdown from April 14 to stem the spread of Covid-19, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Friday.
Also read:Govt allows public transport to operate during lockdown
“The ongoing one-week lockdown doesn't seem to change the apathy of people. People's negligence and indifference are rising, along with coronavirus infections and fatalities in the country," the Awami League general secretary told reporters at his regular media briefing.
"The government is thinking of imposing a complete lockdown from April 14, in public interest," he added.
The government imposed a nationwide lockdown for a week from April 5 as part of its tougher move to contain the rapid spike in both coronavirus infections and fatalities.
However, facing numerous demonstrations post-lockdown, the government allowed the resumption of public transport services in the city corporation areas from Wednesday as well as reopening of shops and shopping malls for five days from Friday.