Awami League General Secretary
'Project rolled out to make March 7 venue a wonder to behold'
The government has rolled out a project to make Suhrawardy Udyan – where Bangabandhu had delivered his landmark March 7 speech and Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on December 16 – a wonder to behold.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said this Saturday during a press briefing at his official residence.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, called on everyone not to worry about the project "as the government remains alert about the environmental concerns and is going ahead with a realistic plan."
Also read: The fight to save Dhaka's 'oxygen bank'
Also, M Habibul Islam, project director of Shawdhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) construction project (Phase III) at the Suhrawardy Udyan, said in the evening: "The government has given priority to saving trees and not felling any tree unnecessarily while implementing the mega plan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. At least one thousand trees will be planted in the coming rainy season."
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina approved a mega plan in 2017. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works are jointly implementing the development project worth Tk265.44 crore. The project kicked off on January 1, 2018 with the deadline of June 2022.
Under the project, the places of the historic March 7 Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the places where the Pakistani occupation army surrendered and other historical events of the Liberation War took place will be preserved.
‘Independent media’ spreading lies against govt: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that media in Bangladesh can spread lies against the government as those are ‘independent’.
“If the government has any control over the media, then how is it criticising the government and spreading lies about it daily?” the ruling party’s number two man asked, referring to a comment of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul.
At a regular briefing, the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said the BNP was still alive after drubbing in polls and failing to launch street protests thanks to the ‘independent media’.
Also read: Bangladesh drops one notch in World Press Freedom Index
Bangladesh was ranked 152 in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index (https://rsf.org/en/bangladesh), slipping one notch.
Tackling pandemic
Quader said cash and food assistance are being provided to 36.5 million helpless, unemployed and low-income families and warned against irregularities in the distribution process.
Mentioning that the government is working tirelessly to help the people during the pandemic, Quader said that it is providing financial and food assistance to protect the unemployed.
Very difficult to understand Corona: Quader
Roads and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the dream project Padma Bridge will be opened for traffic movement in June 2022.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Quader said this at an exchange meeting with officials of Sylhet Zone, BRTC and BRTA this morning while he virtually joined the meeting from his official residence.
The work of the entire bridge structure has been completed with the installation of the latest girder of the viaduct at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge yesterday, he informed.
Stating that the progress of the construction work of the main bridge has been 93.2% so far, the bridge minister said that the progress of river governance work is 63% while the overall progress of the project is 85.5%.
Earlier, the Bridges Division sought the extension in February this year as the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted project progress.
Also read: ‘Godspeed Bangladesh’: ICCB on Padma Bridge
The Bridges Division sent the proposal for the time extension to the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Commission (PC) on February 2.
However, the Bridges Division informed the minister again that bridges can be opened for traffic by June 2022 despite the appeal for deadline extension until June 2023.
Obaidul Quader said, "It is very difficult to understand the character of Corona. There is no alternative to wearing mask and following health guidelines. We have to pay more attention to strict hygiene."
Quader also said the situation in India today is people are dying before going to the hospital, crying for a bed and oxygen, their crematorium and graveyard are unable to afford the corpse.
"We must now be extremely vigilant against the alarming message of infection and death rates in neighboring India, " he warned.
Also read: Padma Bridge, Metro Rail opening to public within June 2022: Quader
Stating that there is no reason to worry about the vaccine, the second man of the ruling party said that when a humanitarian leader like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina i, this difficult time will end one day.
Regarding the Dhaka-Sylhet and SylhetRoad and bridge minister Obaidul Quader said the Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic in June 2022.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this at an exchange meeting with officials of Sylhet Zone, BRTC and BRTA this morning.
The Minister virtually joined the meeting from his official residence.
The work of the entire bridge structure has been completed with the installation of the latest girder of the viaduct at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge yesterday!
Stating that the progress of the construction work of the main bridge has been 93.2% so far, the bridge minister said that the progress of river governance work is 63% and the overall progress of the project is 85.5%.
Also read: Padma Bridge: An impressive mega project gets close to completion
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Awami League, said, "It is very difficult to understand Corona. There is no alternative to hygiene and wearing mask. We have to pay more attention to strict hygiene."
Obaidul Quader said what is the situation in India today, people are dying before going to the hospital, crying for a bed and oxygen, their crematorium and graveyard can not be found.Therefore, the Minister said, we must now be extremely vigilant against the alarming message of infection and death rates in neighboring India.
Stating that there is no reason to worry about the vaccine, Obaidul Quader said that this difficult time will end one day as a humanitarian leader like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly.
Regarding the Dhaka-Sylhet and Sylhet-Tamabil highway projects, the Minister for Road Transport and Bridges said that it is one of the priority projects at the moment, so more importance should be given to upgrade the road to four lanes.
Quader to BNP: 'Stop paying lip service amid Covid-19'
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader Wednesday called upon BNP to stop paying "lip service" amid the ongoing pandemic and stand by the people.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the politics of public welfare is now more important.
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
He came up with the call during a videoconference with the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Khulna zone officials
However, Quader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would provide financial assistance of Tk2,500 to about 35 lakh low-income families who have been hit by the pandemic.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Also, 1 lakh farmers, who have been affected by recent natural disasters, will get Tk5,000 each, he added.
He also urged the ruling party men and high-income groups to stand by the low-income groups and people who need help amid the pandemic.
BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that everyone knows today that BNP is directly and indirectly involved in Hefazat violence.
He said that the recent violence in Hefazat-e-Islam was not only due to its patronage but also to the BNP.
Obaidul Quader made these remarks in an exchange of views with officials of Rajshahi Road Zone, BRTC, BRTA this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his official residence.
Mentioning that no one was arrested for any party or Alem Ulama, the General Secretary of Awami League said that those who were directly involved in the violence, attacked and set fire to the infrastructure, were arrested after watching the video.
Also read: Hefazat violence in Brahmanbaria: 60 held, two more cases filed
Obaidul Quader, in response to the BNP leaders saying that the government is isolated from the people, said that the BNP said this out of remorse for its continuous failure for the last thirteen years.
Mentioning that the BNP has been calling for a movement for more than a decade, Obaidul Quader said that their failure to organise a movement, and also their shameless collapse in national and local elections and by-elections proves who is isolated from the people.
He said that the party which has been following the undemocratic path since its birth has today become the peddler of democracy and is giving advice to the country and the nation.
Mentioning yes-no vote without ballot box and curfew at night, Obaidul Quader said BNP's democracy means voterless election on February 15, by-election in Magura, Dhaka-10 constituency and preparation of 13 million fake voters.
Also read: AL victim of political plots: Obaidul Quader
Recalling Sheikh Hasina's struggle for democracy, Obaidul Quader said that the present government is very sincere in overcoming obstacles and institutionalizing democracy.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader directed the concerned authorities to make BRTA acceptable to the customers and said that although the harassment in this organization has decreased as compared to the past, there are complaints in some areas and they should be stopped.
He also instructed the concerned to take forward the construction work before the monsoon.
1.25 crore families to receive food aid: Quader
Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said 1.25 crore families will receive food aid.
He also said that 35 lakh will get Eid gift from the Prime Minister very soon.
Awami League General Secretary made the announcement while addressing a press briefing at his official residence.
Also read: Zero-tolerance against irregularities in relief activities: Obaidul Quader
Sheikh Hasina's government is sincerely trying to coordinate the lives and livelihoods of the people during this coronavirus pandemic. As part of it, food assistance will be provided to 1.25 crore families who were affected by the lockdown. Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will operate the distribution campaign.
He also said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to 35 lakh poor families as Eid gifts ahead of the Eid.
Also read: Prepare a list of instigators of terrorism: Quader
Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers were directed to make a list in this regard.
Meanwhile, he urged all private organisations and individuals alongside the government to help the affected people during the Coronavirus pandemic.
'I'm no longer Awami League's Mirza': Abdul Quader
Noakhali Basurhat Municipality Mayor and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader's younger brother Abdul Quader Mirza Wednesday announced his resignation from the ruling party.
In a Facebook Live Quader Mirza said: "I'm stepping down as a member of the Companiganj upazila Awami League."
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The municipality mayor also said he would not take part in any election and be involved in the party's activities anymore.
"I do not want to be disputed anymore. So far I have been Mirza from Awami League. But I'm no longer Awami League's Mirza," he said.
Also read: Freedom fighters human chain demanding expulsion of Quader Mirza
However, Mirza also said, "If my followers remain involved in Awami League's activities, I will support them."
The municipality mayor has been involved with the Companiganj upazila Awami League for the past 27 years.
BNP postponed Independence Day event to avoid embarrassment: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the BNP postponed its programme on the golden jubilee of independence as the party will face an embarrassing situation over some settled issues of history.
He said this at a discussion meeting organized by Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League on Awami League party office, 23 Bangabandhu Avenue on the occasion of Genocide Day this morning.
He virtually attended the programme from his official residence while President of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League presided over the programme.
Also read: BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
Obaidul Quader also remarked that the decision to postpone the programme on the pretext of Corona taken by the BNP is ‘mysterious’.
On this day in 1971, at midnight, the barbaric Pakistani aggressors attacked the unarmed Bengalis all over the country including the capital Dhaka. Their main goal was to silence the Bengalis forever, he also said.
Quader informed that although various programs marking the 25th of March, the day of genocide is taken every year on the occasion of the day. Due to the coronavirus situation, the day is being celebrated on a limited scale this year.
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, organizing secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain were present at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue.
Awami League North general secretary SM Mannan Kochi and South Awami League general secretary Md Humayun Kabir and other central and metropolitan leaders were present.
AL succeeded in ‘depoliticisation’ process: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government has started the process of ‘depoliticisation by spreading panic and false propaganda' in the country.
BNP observed Mar 7 to belittle it: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the BNP observed the historic March 7 this year to belittle the significance of the occasion.