Anti-Corruption Resistance Will Remain: Water Resources Minister

Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said corruption and misgovernance had become a trend during the 17-year rule of the Awami League.He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after inspecting the flood-control embankment along the Muhuri River in Ghatghar area of Parshuram upazila in Feni on Tuesday afternoon.The trend of corruption and misgovernance continued for 17 years. Now the people have elected us, and we are running the country with responsibility, the minister said.He said the government could not claim that it had already adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption, but added that it was committed to resisting corruption and taking on the challenge.“We have taken up this challenge under the leadership of the prime minister,” he said.Referring to his own roots in the greater Noakhali region, Anee said ensuring the proper implementation of development projects and preventing corruption were also his personal responsibilities.I am performing that responsibility with great caution. We will remain vigilant so that no influential person can exert pressure and no act of corruption or negligence can harm the projects, he said.The minister also spoke about the government’s expectations from the Muhuri-Kahua flood control, drainage and irrigation project.He said anyone affected by land acquisition would receive the compensation they were entitled to. However, no land acquisition would be required during the first phase of the project.If land acquisition becomes necessary in the second phase, the affected people will be compensated properly before the work is carried out, he said.According to the minister, implementation of the project will help reduce losses caused by river erosion, waterlogging, embankment breaches and floods. People across the greater region are expected to benefit from the project.Anee said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was expected to visit Feni next month, possibly toward the end of the month, to inaugurate the project. He would also meet local residents during the visit.The minister expressed hope that the project would be completed by 2030.The visit was attended by Feni-1 MP Rafiqul Alam Majnu, reserved-seat MP Rehana Akter Ranu, District Council Administrator Prof MA Khalek, Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque, Police Superintendent Pratyush Kumar Majumdar, Executive Engineer of the Feni Water Development Board Mohammad Monirul Islam, Feni BNP Member Secretary Alal Uddin Alal and officials from relevant government agencies and BNP leaders.On June 16, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved the Tk 1,542.16 crore Rehabilitation of the Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project (First Phase).Implementation of the project, however, has yet to begin.Under the first phase, 67.92 kilometres of embankments will be rehabilitated, 11.73 kilometres of riverbanks will be protected and 83.50 kilometres of rivers and water bodies will be re-excavated.The project also includes rehabilitation of 27 irrigation structures and construction of 77 inlets.In the next phase, plans include constructing new embankments along the Muhuri and Kahua rivers, as well as building embankments and carrying out excavation and rehabilitation work along the Silonia River.