PM wants to make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo

DHAKA: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government is working to make Dhaka and the rest of the country cleaner, pollution-free and healthier, with the goal of transforming the capital into a city as clean as Tokyo.

He made the remarks at an exchange of views with expatriate Bangladeshis at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo on Wednesday evening, organised by the Bangladesh Community, an organisation of Bangladeshis living in Japan. The prime minister answered questions from expatriates and outlined the government’s reform plans.

Tarique Rahman said rubbish was rarely seen lying on the streets of Tokyo, whereas waste accumulated in various parts of Dhaka, creating serious concerns for public health and the environment. He said the situation needed to change.

Waste could spread germs and disease, making it essential to keep the capital clean and ensure the proper collection and disposal of rubbish to protect residents’ health, he added.

“We are trying to make Dhaka and the entire country clean. Initiatives are being taken to reduce air pollution, improve the environment and plant trees in different areas,” the prime minister said.

He noted that rubbish left on roads caused inconvenience to pedestrians and contributed to air pollution, which could make people sick. Effective measures were therefore needed to address these problems.

“If we can make Dhaka as clean as Tokyo, that will be a major reform,” he said.

The prime minister said the main objective of government reforms should be to improve ordinary people’s quality of life. Initiatives in education, healthcare and environmental protection should directly benefit marginalised and working-class people, he added.

As a politician, he said, he prioritised reforms whose benefits reached people at the grassroots. While some initiatives might benefit only a limited number of people, the government’s priority should be the welfare of the wider population.

Tarique Rahman called for collective support to implement the reforms, expressing hope that the government could build the Bangladesh people aspired to with the backing of democratic-minded citizens.

He alleged that attempts were being made to create obstacles to prevent the BNP government from implementing reforms that would benefit ordinary people.

Addressing expatriate Bangladeshis, he said successful implementation of the government’s reform initiatives would benefit people across the country, including their families. He urged them to support the initiatives.

“I am not asking you to vote for the BNP. If you think these initiatives are right, support them so that we can implement them,” he said.

The expatriates present at the event applauded his remarks.

The prime minister reiterated that the government aimed to improve living standards through reforms in education, healthcare, the environment and other sectors. Achieving these goals would require hard work, patience and national unity, he said, urging everyone to work together for the country’s development and seeking the expatriates’ cooperation and prayers.

At the beginning of the programme, Tarique Rahman also responded to questions on the government’s plans to help children learn Japanese, develop skills in healthcare and sports, simplify business procedures, reopen closed factories, attract investment and create jobs.

The event was moderated by Abdus Sattar Patwary, a member of the BNP executive committee. Also present were Dr Zubaida Rahman; Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir; Civil Aviation Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat; State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit; and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, among other members of the prime minister’s delegation.

At the event, Japan BNP presented Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, with a photograph as a gift.