UNB, Jajira, Shariatpur :
Terming her government’s decision to build the Padma Bridge with the country’s own fund a challenge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh wants to show the world by implementing this dream project that it has acquired the capacity to implement any mega project.
“The heroic Bangalee nation who had earned Independence through an armed struggle raised its head high today …they now want assistance from their development partners, not alms,” she said.
She came up with the remarks while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project and River Training work at Jajira.
The Prime Minister first opened the river training work at Naodoba in Jajira by unveiling a plaque and later inaugurated the groundbreaking of the main bridge at Mawa point by unveiling another plaque.
Terming the day a ‘Red Letter Day’ for the people of the country and a day of happiness, especially for those of southern Bangladesh, Hasina said her government remained firm to build the dream bridge ignoring all propaganda.
Referring to the World Bank’s allegation of corruption in implementing the project, she said, “I asked them: Where was the corruption? Give me the proof as there had been no fund release till then. If there is no fund release how come corruption can take place!” she wondered. “I also wrote them a letter, but I didn’t get any reply from them till now. They couldn’t prove there was corruption. The Canadian court asked the World Bank to submit the documents about the corruption allegation, but they couldn’t do that because there is nothing to inform.” she added.
The Prime Minister alleged that the issue was different. “One world famous personality who was sitting in a post of managing director of a bank for 11 years violating the rules, started using his connections against Bangladesh to materialise his personal vendetta,” she said. Hasina said the government established 99 Composite Brigade comprising two Infantry Battalions and an Engineer Construction Battalion for ensuring security and supervision of the bridge project.
The government is planning to set up modern townships at Mawa and Jazira points in addition to building international standard hotels and resorts would to attract tourists. About the possible positive impact of the bridge on the national economy, the Prime Minister said the economy of southern Bangladesh will get a boost once the construction of the Padma Bridge is completed.
Terming her government’s decision to build the Padma Bridge with the country’s own fund a challenge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh wants to show the world by implementing this dream project that it has acquired the capacity to implement any mega project.
“The heroic Bangalee nation who had earned Independence through an armed struggle raised its head high today …they now want assistance from their development partners, not alms,” she said.
She came up with the remarks while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project and River Training work at Jajira.
The Prime Minister first opened the river training work at Naodoba in Jajira by unveiling a plaque and later inaugurated the groundbreaking of the main bridge at Mawa point by unveiling another plaque.
Terming the day a ‘Red Letter Day’ for the people of the country and a day of happiness, especially for those of southern Bangladesh, Hasina said her government remained firm to build the dream bridge ignoring all propaganda.
Referring to the World Bank’s allegation of corruption in implementing the project, she said, “I asked them: Where was the corruption? Give me the proof as there had been no fund release till then. If there is no fund release how come corruption can take place!” she wondered. “I also wrote them a letter, but I didn’t get any reply from them till now. They couldn’t prove there was corruption. The Canadian court asked the World Bank to submit the documents about the corruption allegation, but they couldn’t do that because there is nothing to inform.” she added.
The Prime Minister alleged that the issue was different. “One world famous personality who was sitting in a post of managing director of a bank for 11 years violating the rules, started using his connections against Bangladesh to materialise his personal vendetta,” she said. Hasina said the government established 99 Composite Brigade comprising two Infantry Battalions and an Engineer Construction Battalion for ensuring security and supervision of the bridge project.
The government is planning to set up modern townships at Mawa and Jazira points in addition to building international standard hotels and resorts would to attract tourists. About the possible positive impact of the bridge on the national economy, the Prime Minister said the economy of southern Bangladesh will get a boost once the construction of the Padma Bridge is completed.
