PM warns against corruption
June 23, 2009
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the present government would not tolerate any type of corruption as it is pledge-bound to establish good governance in every sphere of society.
She said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) would be further strengthened to make it more effective in eradicating corruption from the soil of Bangladesh, as the vice had stained the country, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen quoting the PM.
The prime minister made the remark when World Bank country director Xian Zhu paid a farewell call on her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
She observed that corruption rooted not only at individual level but “the whole system was corrupted” during the last BNP-Jamaat government.
“The four-party alliance government had politicised every department, institution and organisation during their five-year rule,” the PM said during the talks with the World Bank country chief.
She said when persons inside a government become busy making money through various businesses, corruption cannot be removed during such politico-business nexus.
“Our government will make its best effort to ensure maximum welfare of the people as we came to power to serve the people,” Hasina said.
She informed the World Bank official about her new government’s priority sectors –good governance, physical infrastructure (power and energy, roads and bridges), poverty alleviation, ICT, agriculture and rural development, empowerment of women and building social infrastructure, including social protection for the poor and vulnerable groups.
The PM thanked the development partners of Bangladesh for their support and assistance in holding the December 29 parliamentary polls in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner.
As the transition to democratic government came after ordeals during the interim period, she said every person in the present government always keeps it in mind that the people have reposed a great responsibility on the government to serve the nation.
Sheikh Hasina and the World Bank official discussed the disastrous impacts of the global climate change on Bangladesh and other poor countries though they contribute little to the increasing global warming.
She said her government is taking various initiatives to protect the people of Bangladesh from recurrent natural calamities.
She apprised the executive of the multilateral donor agency that capital and maintenance dredging will be launched in the country’s major rivers to save people from unexpected flooding.
“Besides, steps will also be taken to keep Mongla seaport always active,” she said.
Hasina also mentioned her talks with the World Bank about its assistance for various development sectors of Bangladesh when she was in the US last year.
The prime minister thanked the World Bank for its continuous support in various socio-economic sectors of the country.
In reply, Xian Zhu assured the PM of WB assistance in various sectors, including power, energy, river dredging and construction of Padma Bridge.
He praised the PM for her “visionary” leadership and hoped that Bangladesh would be able to attain its desired development and prosperity under the present government.
“The way the prime minister has been successful in solving various crisis in the last few months has earned appreciation from the world community,” Azad quoted her.
Source: thedailystar.net
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