He wants to make best use of every second to accomplish dev mission
Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday stressed protecting the port city of Chittagong to protect Bangladesh as it is the country’s economic lifeline.
“We need to protect Chittagong city if we want to protect Bangladesh. It’s our economic lifeline and commercial hub. It’s the high time to think about Chittagong for its systematic development,” he told a crowded meet-the-press programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Describing his corporation’s indiscipline and fragilities, Nasir vowed to turn it into an effective body to ensure greater development of the important city in the interest of the country.
Chittagong Journalists’ Forum Dhaka (CJFD) arranged the event with its president Saif Islam Dilal in the chair. Former cultural affairs secretary of the government Ranjit Kumar Biswas, CJFD general secretary Shamim Jahangir, former leaders Mostafa Kamal and Anup Khastagir were present.
In his first appearance before the press in Dhaka after taking over charge, the mayor said Chittagong is an exceptional city by nature and the entire country will remain neglected if Chittagong is neglected.
Nasir, also Awami League Chittagong city unit general sectary, said he is ready to take any personal risk for the development of Chittagong. “I’m ready to take any personal risk, as my agenda is to implement projects maintaining transparency,” he said.
The CCC mayor said he will never patronise corruption in the corporation and it will remain free from political influence. “The good thing is that the Prime Minister herself is sincere about Chittagong’s development.”
Responding to a question, he said they have already identified the problems and now they will take up proper projects and implement those with utmost sincerity and honesty.
About the city’s major problem, water logging, he said they have already talked to WASA authorities; and the World Bank and JICA may come up with funds for implementing some projects to improve sewerage system in Chittagong.
The city mayor said the seven major departments of the corporation, including health, education and engineering are run with acting heads apart from low capacity of workforces.
He emphasised building dams to protect the city from the surge of water apart from improved sewerage system.
Nasir also shared his idea of having a master plan, introducing modern waste management system, sustainable road construction and bringing changes in waste removal system.
“I’ve political commitment, too. I want to make the best use of every second in five years. I won’t say five years are not enough to resolve problems,” he added.
On fight against drugs and terrorism, Nasir said he has already directed all the authorities concerned apart from launching social campaign to jointly fight against drugs and terrorism and extortion. “We must raise our voices together against drug and terrorism. We can save a generation together,” said the mayor.
About removal of billboards, the city mayor said he fight against illegal billboards will continue, and no pressure will work against him. “We’ve already removed 330 billboards and asked all the authorities concerned not to approve the installation of any billboard,” he added.
On tax realisation, Nasir said no citizen of the city will face unnecessary harassment in the name of tax realisation and he will continue awareness campaign about the duty of a citizen, too.
The mayor said many in the corporation might have political affiliation but there will be no discriminative attitude towards anybody.
He also focused on the climate change issue and how it is affecting the people living close to sea in Chittagong.
The city mayor pledged to work for a beautiful, healthy and planned modern Chittagong city, and said he would soon meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discuss more on how he can move forward with his development agenda.
Source: UNB
