Special Correspondent: Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad, General Secretary of Amar Bangladesh (AB Party) Party, said that a six-lane road from Bhanga to Kuakata and a bridge in Mirganj must be constructed.
Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad spoke as the chief guest at a human chain organized by the Barisal Society in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday. Chaired by Barisal Society convener Amanullah Khan Noman and moderated by prominent businessman Gazi Nasir, the event was also attended by poet and journalist Sanaullah Sagar, human rights activist Shahin Alam Sikder, Dhaka International University teacher Dr. Shamim Hamidi, political activist Shahjahan Bepari, Barisal Society members Mainul Faisal, Moniruzzaman, Shahidul Islam, Moniruzzaman Khan, Kawsar Sikder, Fazlul Haque Shanto, Nurul Amin Siddiqui, and others. Barrister Fuad mentioned that according to the ‘Poverty Map of Bangladesh 2022’ published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s largest poor population lives in Barisal division, 26.6 percent. Even after meeting the needs of the division in crop production, there is a huge surplus. The children of Barisal are also quite ahead in education, so why is the Barisal division currently the poorest? Barisal is associated with nationally important installations like Padma Bridge and Payra Thermal Power Plant. The island district of Bhola is not only a place of beauty, but also a source of mineral resources – Bapex has already discovered three huge gas fields; although Bangladesh has suffered as a state in the demarcation of its maritime boundaries, 46 oil/gas blocks have been discovered there, but there is no news of extraction from them. However, Myanmar and India have been extracting oil/gas by laying pipes from the side. The country has made great progress in the 16-year fascist movement, or has the country become Singapore; then why are hundreds of Barisal residents having to form a human chain today, questioned Barrister Fuad.The chief guest said in his speech that Kuakata is the second most important beach in the country from where both sunrise and sunset can be seen; yet despite having such a vast coastline, due to lack of infrastructure, no tourism industry has developed around it, no modern technology-based fishing industry has developed. In all these realities, keeping in mind the shortages, deprivations and aspirations of Barisal division, he called on the interim government to reverse the decision to cancel the six/eight lane road project from Bhanga to Kuakata after the Padma Bridge to fill the gap in the infrastructural development of the division. A small bridge should be constructed immediately over the Arial Khan/Sugandha river in Mirganj to connect Muladi, Hijla and Mehendiganj with Barisal city and Babuganj upazila. The locals demand that this be passed in the upcoming June-July budget. For now, to keep the local people free from extortion harassment, the ferry ghat should not be leased and the maintenance of the ghat should be done on a professional basis at affordable prices. In addition, if the ferry facility of Mirganj can be provided to Babuganj Kheyaghat, the quality of life of millions of citizens will change.
Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad spoke as the chief guest at a human chain organized by the Barisal Society in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday. Chaired by Barisal Society convener Amanullah Khan Noman and moderated by prominent businessman Gazi Nasir, the event was also attended by poet and journalist Sanaullah Sagar, human rights activist Shahin Alam Sikder, Dhaka International University teacher Dr. Shamim Hamidi, political activist Shahjahan Bepari, Barisal Society members Mainul Faisal, Moniruzzaman, Shahidul Islam, Moniruzzaman Khan, Kawsar Sikder, Fazlul Haque Shanto, Nurul Amin Siddiqui, and others. Barrister Fuad mentioned that according to the ‘Poverty Map of Bangladesh 2022’ published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s largest poor population lives in Barisal division, 26.6 percent. Even after meeting the needs of the division in crop production, there is a huge surplus. The children of Barisal are also quite ahead in education, so why is the Barisal division currently the poorest? Barisal is associated with nationally important installations like Padma Bridge and Payra Thermal Power Plant. The island district of Bhola is not only a place of beauty, but also a source of mineral resources – Bapex has already discovered three huge gas fields; although Bangladesh has suffered as a state in the demarcation of its maritime boundaries, 46 oil/gas blocks have been discovered there, but there is no news of extraction from them. However, Myanmar and India have been extracting oil/gas by laying pipes from the side. The country has made great progress in the 16-year fascist movement, or has the country become Singapore; then why are hundreds of Barisal residents having to form a human chain today, questioned Barrister Fuad.The chief guest said in his speech that Kuakata is the second most important beach in the country from where both sunrise and sunset can be seen; yet despite having such a vast coastline, due to lack of infrastructure, no tourism industry has developed around it, no modern technology-based fishing industry has developed. In all these realities, keeping in mind the shortages, deprivations and aspirations of Barisal division, he called on the interim government to reverse the decision to cancel the six/eight lane road project from Bhanga to Kuakata after the Padma Bridge to fill the gap in the infrastructural development of the division. A small bridge should be constructed immediately over the Arial Khan/Sugandha river in Mirganj to connect Muladi, Hijla and Mehendiganj with Barisal city and Babuganj upazila. The locals demand that this be passed in the upcoming June-July budget. For now, to keep the local people free from extortion harassment, the ferry ghat should not be leased and the maintenance of the ghat should be done on a professional basis at affordable prices. In addition, if the ferry facility of Mirganj can be provided to Babuganj Kheyaghat, the quality of life of millions of citizens will change.
He said that the health service sector of the district and upazila has completely collapsed. The quality of medical services at the district’s Sadar Hospital and Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital has become questionable. A major reason for this is the inability of the upazila health service centers to provide adequate services. Sub-health centers and community clinics have become ineffective due to the capture of private hospital syndicates. Arresting or handing over a farmer for non-payment of agricultural loans up to one lakh taka should be stopped. In addition to withdrawing the cases if necessary, arrangements should be made for loan waiver.
