Follow building code to avoid disasters

Bangladesh does not want to see any death due to man-made disasters, said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday, emphasising the importance of ensuring building safety across the country.

"… All will have to follow building code in constructing buildings both in urban and rural areas," he said.

The planning minister was speaking as the chief guest at the joint launching ceremony of "Urban Building Safety Project and Urban Resilience Project: An Integrated Approach to Enhance Urban Resilience in Bangladesh."

The government, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Bank jointly arranged the event at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.

Mustafa Kamal stressed "zonal mapping" to determine the types of buildings in various parts of the country -- both in urban and rural areas. "We need to check whether buildings are being constructed properly in rural areas."

Emphasising the need for creating public awareness on building safety, the planning minister said Bangladesh did not want to see any Rana Plaza-like disaster in the future.