President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday greeted the people of the country on the occasion of the first concrete pouring into the second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
In his message, the President said Bangladesh achieved the prideful membership of ‘Nuclear Club’ through pouring the first concrete into the first unit of the nuclear plant on November 30last year.
As part of its continuation, he said, the first concrete pouring into its second unit begins on Saturday. “I hope the work on the project will be more
vibrant with this.” Abdul Hamid said, “On this auspicious event, I convey my heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with whose sincere efforts the mega project is being implemented. I also convey my heartiest congratulations to all the officials, employees and engineers concerned from home and abroad.” In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “I convey my heartiest greetings to all on the eve of this auspicious event of the first concrete pouring into the second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.” “The first concrete was poured into the first unit of this plant barely seven months ago on November 30, 2017. The construction of this unit has progressed fairly well and now we’re stepping into the construction of its second unit. Now, I believe, we’ll be able to implement this project within the stipulated time schedule,” she said. “The construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is our long-cherished dream that was initiated in 1961. But unfortunately, the implementation of that dream couldn’t be materialised due to the discriminatory behaviour of the then Pakistan government,” the Prime Minister said in her message.
Soon after the country’s independence, Sheikh Hasina said, the greatest Bangalee of all times Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook an initiative to implement the project.
“But its implementation came to a halt after his brutal assassination. After assuming power in 2009, we took pragmatic measures to implement the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant,” she added.
To meet the increasing demand of electricity, the government has formulated a Master Plan, she said adding, “The construction of the nuclear plant is an integrated part of that plan. Some 2,400 megawatts of electricity will be added to our national grid from this plant by the year 2023-2024.” “This power plant is being constructed using the most modern technology. To ensure nuclear and radiation safety, we’re strictly following the guidelines of IAEA,” Hasina added. She went on saying, “We’ve been working tirelessly to materialise the dream of Bangabandhu and build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. We’ve recently been graduated from LDC to a developing country. I hope the Rooppur Nuclear Plant will play a vital role in our socio-economic development and also in implementing the vision 2041 of our government. I wish all-out success of the plant.”
Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit Pabna on Saturday to inaugurate the construction work on the second unit of nuke plant. During her visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Pabna-Majhgram Railway Station. Besides, she will inaugurate 31 development projects as well as lay the foundation stones of 18 developmental works, Deputy Commissioner of the district Md Jasim Uddin told UNB.
After inaugurating and laying the foundation stones, the Prime Minister will address a public rally at the Police Lines ground to be organised by the district Awami League.
