Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint
General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said Bangladesh would advance if
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in power.
"There is no alternative to Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina to move the country forward. It is only Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh
Hasina who can ignore the pressure of big states," he said.
The minister was inaugurating the activities of goods
management and transportation towards other sea ports and destinations of
Bangladesh from Chattogram Port organised by Inland Vessel Owners' Association
of Chittagong (IVOAC) at a hotel in the city.
Dr Hasan said Bangladesh has constructed the mega project
Padma Bridge under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showing
thumbs down to the World Bank.
He said the premier has taken various plans for overall
development of the country. An initiative has been taken to construct Bay
Terminal in Chattogram, he said.
The minister said the bay terminal will accommodate vessels
of 12-meter draft during normal hours and with a little dressing it can
accommodate vessels of 14 meters draft during high tide.
"Besides, a port has been constructed in Matarbari to
accommodate ships of 18 meters draft. From these two places, small cargo ships
will be transported to Payra, Mongla and the industries that are located around
Dhaka city. Now as it is done from Chattogram port," he added.
Dr Hasan said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has taken
the master plan not only focusing on Chattogram or Bangladesh, but keeping in
mind the entire region.
Dr Hasan urged all to go to voting centers to cast their
franchise rights. He also sought vote in favour of 'Boat', the electoral symbol
of Awami League.
Hazi Md Selim, MP, and AL Chattogram city unit general
secretary AJM Nasir Uddin addressed the programme as special guests with
association president Shafiq Ahmed in the chair.
Water Transport Cargo Agents Association president Belayet
Hossain, its general secretary Amal Chandra Das, IVOAC acting general secretary
Md Azizur Rahman, its leaders Narwattamm Saha Polash, Kazi Manirul Islam and
Khaled Mahmud, among others, addressed it.