Kutubdia : Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday jointly organised by the Green Belt Trust, Kutubdia Unnayan Forum, Kutubdia Bachao Andolon, Kutubdia Samity, Kutubdia Press Club and COAST Trust laid emphasis on local level accountability of Water Development Board (WDB) in building sustainable embankment in coastal Kutubdia zone. The seminar titled ‘Construction of Sustainable Embankment: People Participation with Government Work’ was held at Kutubdia Officer’s Club . Presided over by civil society leader Shafiul ALam , it was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust. Speakers demanded construction of concrete based permanent embankment, allocation of special budget and give priority to scheme for protection of coastal lands in Kutubdia and at other coastal areas. Ziaul Karim Chowdhury, Coordinator COAST Trust presented the key- note paper with demands that include promoting positive engagement among community, civil society, government officials, engineers, elected leaders and other stakeholders in coastal projects, says a press release. He also called for updating WDB work status during monthly upazila coordination meeting, ensure open disclosure and establishment of sign board with all needful information on development project sites, introducing complaint response mechanism. UNO Salehin Tanvir Gazi was present in the seminar as Chief Guest. Local UP chairman and elected representatives and local bodies including president of A N M Shahiduddin Choton were present as guest speakers. Sub Divisional Engineer of BWDB Nazrul Islam was also present.
