‘BNP must clear 17 years of neglect’

Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that the country has not had an elected government for the past 17 years.

“The BNP government now has to clear the 17 years of accumulated mess. We are the ones cleaning up the waste and debris,” he stated.

He made these remarks on Friday (13 March) around 12 PM while inspecting canal excavation work in the Mandari Bazar area of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila and speaking to the media.

The minister said that the canals will be freed from illegal encroachments. He urged the public to cooperate actively once the excavation work begins. “As a patriotic government, we seek the support of the people,” he added.

He also mentioned that the Prime Minister will visit Dinajpur on 16 March to officially inaugurate the 12.5-kilometre-long Sahapara canal excavation in Balrampur, Kaharol Upazila.

Additionally, a nationwide canal excavation program has been initiated. So far, the government has inspected three canals in Lakshmipur.

Annie emphasised, “The most important part of the canal excavation program is to first remove the accumulated waste and debris from the canals. Illegal encroachments must be cleared.

Only then will the public benefit from these initiatives; otherwise, the people will not see the results.”