The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government were pledge bound to ensure welfare for the nation through sincere efforts to achieve more progress and prosperity in the days ahead.

"The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working with sincerity, honesty and accountability to ensure smooth and equal development in all parts of the country," he said. While exchanging views with officials, journalists and leaders of the district Awami League (AL) at the local Circuit House Saturday evening, the minister urged all to work with dedication and sincerity in the greater interests of the people, country and the future generation.

"The present government wants to ensure well being of the people to make the hard-earned independence meaningful," he said and asked the WDB officials to complete the ongoing works for protecting the vulnerable points from river erosions and flash flood before the rainy season. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Ahad, WDB's Chief Engineer Aminul Haque and Superintendent Engineer Jahir Hossain apprised the minister of the overall river erosion situation in the region.

The minister said the government would try to resolve the river erosion problems permanently all over the country to save the people and their property from floods.

"I will have a meeting in Dhaka tomorrow with the experts, who visited the anti-erosion project of the Mississippi, and discuss strategies for permanent solution to the erosion problems," he added.

He asked the WDB officials to construct the anti-erosion structures, which should last for at least 50 years. "The ongoing second phase works of the giant Teesta Barrage Project (TBP) must be completed to provide irrigation water to the farmers of greater Rangpur, Dinajpur and Bogra districts," he said.

Replying to several queries, the minister said all discriminations in the tender process of the WDB would be removed as early as possible.