PM again annoyed over projects’ execution delay

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again expressed her annoyance over the delay in implementation of development projects, and the repeated revisions of such projects being sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for approval.

Sheikh Hasina reprimanded the authorities concerned over the issue on Tuesday during the ECNEC meeting held at the National Economic Council conference room in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. She chaired the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Making the disclosure, Member of the Planning Commission’s Physical Infrastructure Division under Mamun Al Rashid said, “She expressed annoyance when the Improvement of Netrokona-Nishiura-Ishwarganj Highway Project (First Revision) was placed before her.”

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, “Sheikh Hasina has encouraged us to work together for completing projects in the stipulated time frame and asked all to address the problems that are delaying implementation.

“She has also asked the authorities concerned to build bridges and culverts in haor areas as needed, but directed them to be careful about not to restrict the movement of small boats. She has given instructions for dredging rivers across the country for smooth navigation.”

ECNEC okays climate smart agro project

The ECNEC on Tuesday approved a Tk 106.08 crore project titled “Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project,” aiming to boost Bangladesh’s agricultural production through appropriate technology.

This approval came from an ECNEC meeting held on Tuesday. After the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan told reporters that a total of 10 projects were approved involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 4,621.34 crore.

“Of this total cost, Tk 3,055.21 crore will come from the government, while Tk 1,566.13 crore as project assistance,” he said, adding that five among the approved 10 projects are new, while the rest are revised ones.

The climate smart agriculture project aims to increase annual crop production by 176 – 178 per cent in project areas. Under this initiative, 120 tonnes of seeds will be produced annually, along with 40 tonnes of pulse-type seeds and 40 tonnes of oil-type seeds.

“The prime minister has instructed us to focus on producing agriculture seeds in the country, and reducing dependency on foreign nations,” the minister said.

He further said, “Of the project cost, the World Bank’s International Development Association will provide Tk 84.8 crore, and Tk 21.28 crore will come from the government exchequer. The Department of Agricultural Extension will implement the project by December 2026.”

The Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project will save 50 per cent of irrigation water in the project areas, and will be implemented in 27 upazilas of 17 districts.

These districts are Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Jashore, Narail, Barishal, Patuakhali, Gopalganj, and Rajbari.

Under this project, 3,192 agriculture equipment and accessories will be procured, including combine harvesters and digital weight machines. The implementing agency – Department of Agriculture Extension – will also organise 100 agriculture fairs in the project areas.

The planning minister said the ECNEC has also approved “Flood and Riverbank erosion Risk Management Investment Programme (Project-2)” with a cost of Tk 1,803.07 crore to provide assistance in improving the standards of life, alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth of the people affected by erosion along the rivers Jamuna and Padma.

Other projects are approved in the meeting are – Agricultural Development of Sylhet Region through Modern Technology at a cost of Tk 200.54 crore, Netrokona-Bishiura-Ishwarganj Road Development (1st revision)” at Tk 481.20 crore, Construction of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Building (1st revision) at Tk 261.86 crore, Construction of 16 Regional Passport Offices (Construction of revised 17 Regional Passport Offices and Upward Expansion of 4 Passport Office Buildings) (1st revision) at Tk 128.39 crore, Establishment of Sheikh Hasina Cantonment Barisal (1st revision) at Tk 2,030.09 crore, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Gazipur Approach Road Widening and Other Necessary Infrastructure Development (3rd revision) at Tk 242.06 crore.