POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Nov 12, 2022 : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Reserve money has been spent for the welfare of the country. This money has been spent for the people and the country. The Awami League government did not waste a single rupee. The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the construction of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway at 11 am on Saturday.
He joined Ashulia’s function virtually from Ganobhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, ‘There was a reserve deficit during BNP, which was increased to 48 billion dollars by the Awami League government. BNP leaders made wealth by stealing. Awami League did not waste a single rupee. ‘
He said, ‘Communication-travel-imports were almost stopped due to the corona virus. While this communication has opened up, we have imported, especially the worldwide coronavirus and the Ukraine-Russia war, causing inflation in the global economy. The impact of the economic recession has come to our country. Today we have to meet import expenses from the reserve money, besides we have given vaccines free of cost. I have also arranged corona test free of charge. No developed country in the world has provided free tests and vaccines. We buy vaccines first with cash. Then we got the grant. But we buy with cash. ‘
But food prices have risen all over the world. Transportation costs have increased. Fuel – edible oil, wheat, maize, pulses – everything we have to import. We are producing rice, producing food. We are self-sufficient, yet we have to import. We had to import crops when the crops were destroyed by floods and cyclones. What we have spent is in the interest of the people, for the welfare of the people. Buying people’s food, cancer medicine…we have to do it for the good of the people. But we have to buy fertilizer, fuel oil, electricity. We buy with cash. Apart from that, we bought airplanes with our reserve money. River dredging, we are also doing that with our own reserve money’, he said.
The prime minister also said, ‘The reason we are investing is that if we take a loan from another country, I have to pay those dollars with interest. If we spend our dollars, we give through Sonali Bank, so the money with interest…our country’s money stays in the country. Aiming at that, we have spent eight billion. We also lent some money to Sri Lanka when it was in dire financial straits. ‘
But no one left with the money here. They say that there is always fear in their mind. BNP, especially will say. The reason is that their leader Tarek Zia has been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs 20 crore in a money laundering case and is an absconding convict. Those who practice money laundering only know that they have to take money. Awami League government does not waste a single money of this country. Every money is spent for the benefit of the people of Bangladesh and sees their good and bad,” said Sheikh Hasina.
He said, ‘No one chewed, swallowed or took the money. But yes, BNP will say. They themselves have made wealth by stealing. Because they had nothing. When Ziaur Rahman died, as we watched on television for 40 days, he left behind nothing but a broken suitcase and a torn gingham. Later, I see that they own thousands of crores of rupees. They did it by embezzling people’s money. ‘
Calling on everyone to focus on production, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Not even an inch of land should remain uncultivated. On the one hand, global impact of climate change, then Corona, Ukraine-Russia war on it, sanctions; As a result of which today the price of every thing – transportation cost has gone up. In this case, we have to produce ourselves successfully. Food production, nutrition assurance measures should be taken. We have soil people, we can do it. Those who have their own land will take measures to cultivate there. If ever there is a famine in the world, we should not feel that shock in Bangladesh. We have to take our own precautions. ‘
We want Bangladesh’s progress to continue. We are building Bangabandhu Tunnel, Expressway, Metro Rail. We have to spend money on all of them. Reserve money is needed. This is the reality. We are making arrangements so that people’s communication becomes easier. We are road, sea, rail and air; All of them have been greatly improved. It didn’t fall from the sky. We are doing most of the work with our own money, so that we don’t have to get hands on anyone,” said the Prime Minister.
Awami League General Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader presided over the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Li Ziming spoke. The opening ceremony was conducted by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Ahmed Kaykaus. Senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges were present at this time. The Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister conducted the program at Ganabhaban. Ahmad Kaykaus. A documentary on the expressway was screened on the occasion.
On the other hand, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief was present at the construction yard-3 end of the project near Ashulia Bazar. Enamur Rahman, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-20 Constituency Benazir Ahmed, Expressway Project Director Lee Yuen Jian, Vice Chairman Joe Jing Jiang CMC and South Asian Regional Business Center Deputy General Manager Joe Yang Lee.
Chinese Exim Bank has approved a loan of 1.2 billion dollars or 10 thousand 226.53 crore rupees for the expressway project. China will pay 65 percent of the total project cost of Tk 16,901 crore. The 24 km long expressway will connect Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Bypile and EPZ on Nabinagar-Chandra highway.
