The government observed the World Habitat Day pleading safe and secured housing for slum dwellers by 2021.
Like other countries around the world, the country observed the day by organising rallies and discussions to communicate the message that everyone of us deserves the opportunity for a better future.
The theme of the day this year is “Housing at the Centre”.
“We are committed to ensure safe and eco-friendly housing for all slum dwellers by 2021,” Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said while addressing a seminar in the capital city on the World Habitat Day. Marking day, the National Housing Authority (NHA) organised the discussion at its auditorium.
The minister said the government had initiated the process of establishing 100 economic zones across the country, which would generate jobs and housing facilities for 2 crore people.
Mosharraf said the government would also encourage more investment in the housing sector, with facilitating bank loan at low interest rate so people can afford decent and safe housing.
Referring to the green cities in China, he said “we could also follow the footstep of China to provide better housing especially to the rural people by bringing together them who live in various small villages.”
The minister called upon the private sector to come up with effective initiatives to help develop safe and eco-friendly housing facilities for all.
“We should also develop decent housing in every upzilla to stop migration of rural people to cities,” he said.
Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, RAJUK Chairman M Bazlul Karim Chowdhury and NHA Chairman Khandaker Akhtaruzzaman also addressed the seminar, chaired by NHA Director KZ Hossian Taofiq.
