Noman Mosharef :
Dhaka South City Corporation’s (DSCC) ‘Sheikh Hasina Climate Refuge Shelter and Social Service Centre’ in Sadarghat area are now used as councilor’s office.
After being elected councilor of word No. 37 of DSCC in 2015, Abdur Rahman Miazi has been using shelter’s 1st floor as his office.
DSCC issued letter to the councilor several times for vacating the space, but the councilor did not response positively. Responsible for maintaining the structure, private development organization Sajeda Foundation says that the councilor still keeps the office under occupation showing his muscle power.
They (Sajeda Foundation) are not getting cooperation as expected contrary to the contract signed with the DSCC.
DSCC sources said the contraction work for a six storied building started in 2002 and ended in 2006 at a cost of Tk 23 crore. But following nine years remained unused. Later the authority decided to use the structure as climate refugee shelter and social service centre and gave responsibility to private organization Sajeda Foundation.
Councilor Abdur Rahman Miazi said, the design was not followed properly to construct this building. There was a councilor office in the design, but was erased.
He said, we have filed a writ petition with the High Court. HC gave six months stay order.
The councilor further said, on which ground Sajeda Foundation got resposiblity to operate this shelter is not clear.
While visiting the spot it was seen there was no climate refugee shelter. Almost every room for refugees remains vacant. Few kids were seen with playing instrument at child care centre.
DSCC sources said, ground floor is being used as an emergency health centre. Few of specialist doctor for Gynecology,Paediatric, Dermatology and Dentist are having chamber regular basis in the shelter. People from various sector including locals got treatment from here.
DSCC’s Chief Slum Development Officer AKM Lutfur Rahman Siddique said, we have a problem with a local councilor. We have sent letters to him for several times without getting any response. Still he (The councilor) has occupied the shelter. We informed higher authority about the matter. Now what they will take decision we will implement that.
