Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced that the government will build another nuclear power plant in the Southern region of the country after the Rooppur nuclear power plant.
“In future, we’ll build another power plant in the Southern region of the country,” she said while addressing a function after inaugurating six highly sensitive scientific installations at Bangladesh Atomic Commission at Ganakbari.
Hasina said that after assuming office, the present government had taken steps to built a nuclear power plant in Rooppur, which is 2000 (1000+1000) MW to meet the growing demand of power in the country.
She said all preparations for the construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have been completed.
The Prime Minister also said that the government has a plan to set up two new medical universities in Chittagong and Rajshahi. “Gradually, we’ll set up medical university in each division of the country.”
She mentioned that the government will utilize nuclear power for peaceful purposes only.
Hasina called upon the scientists to give emphasis on applied research along with basic research focusing on the socio-economic development goal of the country.
She said that like other scientifically advanced country, her government is also attaching top priority to scientific research for expediting economic development.
Terming the inauguration of the two scientific facilities as the opening of a new horizon in the field of country’s nuclear research, the Prime Minister urged the scientists to ensure highest application of domestic capability and resources.
She also asked them to accelerate development in different sectors including agriculture, education, health and infrastructure as well as to ensure combating the risk of climate change with domestic technology.
Hasina said that during its previous tenure, her government established 12 science and technology universities and four agriculture universities, as well as a medical university for enhancing research.
She listed various successes of her government including establishment of Union Information Center with internet facilities, reaching healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people through community clinics, and generation of over 3500 MW additional electricity during the last three and half years.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the role of scientists and researchers is very crucial in successful implementation of ‘Vision 2021’ for economic prosperity of the country. She said the countries showing capability in research on science and technologies are progressing fast.
Hasina said around Tk 200 crore have been spent for procuring the highly sensitive atomic machineries in the six new installations of the Atomic Commission ushering in a new horizon for atomic research in the country.
She said the construction of Rooppur Nuclear Plant has been delayed as the previous BNP government didn’t carry forward the initiative.
The Prime Minister said that her government has activated all research institutes in the country and given separate allocation for conducting research works.
She hoped that the country’s scientists will be able to invent necessary technology in local perspective and application of those technologies is possible through using native resources and capacity.
State Minister for Science and Technology architect Yeafesh Osman presided over the function.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Science and Technology Alhaj Dabirul Islam, local parliament member Talukder Towhid Jang Murad, secretary of the Science and Technology Ministry Rafiqul Islam and chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission ASM Firoz also spoke on the occasion.
