Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken about forming the Coast Guard into a tri-dimensional force using modern technology.
She said, “Two new ships and helicopters are being added to the Coast Guard. The modern maritime surveillance system will be integrated. Bangladesh Coast Guard is moving towards becoming a tri-dimensional force.”
Sheikh Hasina spoke at the 29th founding anniversary event of the Bangladesh Coast Guard held at its headquarters in Agargaon, the capital, on Sunday.
She said, “Bangladesh has become the owner of its own maritime boundary. This has been made possible by the Awami League government, maintaining friendly relations with Myanmar and India.”
On the occasion of the Coast Guard’s anniversary, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the cake-cutting ceremony at the headquarters in Agargaon on Sunday.
Sheikh Hasina emphasized the role of the sea in the country’s economy, saying, “For this, already a Blue Economy or Sunil Economy has been announced. Bangladesh will advance as a hub of connectivity between the East and the West.”
She urged the Coast Guard to ensure security in this regard.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured Bangladesh’s vast maritime territory. He claimed that Bangladesh would be the owner of sea routes six times. The law was enacted in 1982 by the United Nations, but Bangabandhu did it in 1974, setting a precedent in the world.”
“After the assassination of the Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975, no one, be it the Zia government, Ershad government, or Khaleda Zia’s government, made any effort to ensure our rights in the maritime boundary. After forming the government in ’96, we took the initiative.”
Referring to that endeavor, Prime Minister said, “We started collecting information to ensure our rights in the maritime boundary. We haven’t been able to come to power for five years. No one took any initiative from 2001 to 2008. The government formed in 2009 took steps to ensure our rights in the maritime territory. By the grace of Allah, we have achieved that.”
Referring to the country’s goals, Sheikh Hasina said, “No one in the country will remain landless or homeless. Everyone will have an address and lead a prosperous life.”
At this time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated five stations and an outpost including the V-Sat Network Communication Systems.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Rear Admiral M.E. Chowdhury, Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard, were present at the event.
