Syed Abul busy with big projects
Forgets about regular road maintenance, says Nazmul Huda
Former Communications Minister Nazmul Huda yesterday said Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain did not take any initiative for development of the country's communications and transportation system.
"This minister (Abul Hossain) is much enthusiastic about some huge projects like metro rail and elevated expressway. But he has forgotten about regular road maintenance that caused dilapidated road condition across the country," he said.
During his tenure, he had done a lot of development work in this sector. But this present minister is doing nothing," said Huda, also a BNP leader.
But Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said the development works, which completed during BNP's regime, were initiated by the Awami League government's previous tenure from 1996 to 2000.
"Sheikh Hasina planted the seeds and you (BNP) enjoyed the fruits," he said.
About drivers' educational qualification, Shahjahan Khan yesterday reiterated his previous stance that traffic sign based-training is much more important for making skilled drivers than intuitional academic qualification.
They made the remarks at a discussion on communications system of Bangladesh: problems and way out, organised by Media forum for Human Rights and Environmental Developmental (MHED) at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
Earlier Shahjahan at a press conference on August 18 said a driver does not need to be educated to get a driving licence. If a driver can sign his name, can understand traffic signs and signals, can differentiate between a cow and a goat and has good driving skills, what is the problem in giving him a licence?
Following the statement, he faced huge criticism from media and civil society with the demand of his resignation.
Shahjahan, also the executive president of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, demanded formation of a "Transport Ministry" that will work in integrated way to develop the roads, river and railway communications.
About traffic congestion, he said around 50,000 new vehicles are coming on the roads every year. How can the problem be resolved? Moreover, parking space crisis are intensifying the problem.
About recent crisis of ferry services, he said nine more ferries will be procured to solve the crisis.
The government is working to formulate a law titled "Transport and Traffic Act" for the development of transport sector, he added.
Addressing the function, Bangladesh Institute of Planners President Dr Sarwar Jahan stressed the need for establishing a government fund for annual road maintenance.
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