PM asks Coast Guard members to uphold dignity

BSS :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the members of Bangladesh Coast Guard to uphold the force’s reputation and dignity by discharging their duty with honesty and faith being imbued with patriotism.
“I assure you (members of Coast Guard) that my government will provide all necessary assistance to keep running the continuous progress of this force as well as your overall welfare,” she said.
The premier said this while commissioning five locally-made state-of-the-art vessels of Bangladesh Coast Guard in a ceremony in Patenga, Chattogram as the chief guest.

Joining through videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban, Sheikh Hasina said that her government is working to make the Coast Guard a modern and contemporary force capable of fulfilling new responsibilities in the future.

In addition, initiative of establishing digital connectivity with Bangabandhu Satellite-I is also being taken to bring a revolutionary change in the communication system of Bangladesh Coast Guard for national interest as well as security and safety of people’s life and property in the deep sea, she said.

Besides, drone technology has been incorporated to Bangladesh Coast Guard to ensure the safety of forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens in Bhasanchar, she added.
As part of her government’s long-term plan to provide security to deep-sea and blue-economy, the Prime Minister said that they have planned to add two more all-weather and deep-sea Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), a hospital ship, hovercraft and several high-speed vessels by 2026-2030.

“By 2031 to 2041, the Coast Guard will be a self-sufficient, mature, modern and exemplary smart force,” she added.
Mentioning that the government has also undertaken the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s own manpower recruitment program and force restructuring initiative, Sheikh Hasina said that manpower of the Coast Guard has been increased by Awami League governments since 2009 as it is remained in power successively.