2024-03-11 13:21:19
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government is developing the Coast Guard as a strong force to exploit the immense potential of marine resources, to keep sea-dependent economic activities dynamic and safe and for the security of projects related to the blue economy.
He said these things at a function organized on the occasion of the 29th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon of the capital on Sunday (March 10) morning.
The Prime Minister said, ‘The father of the nation made the country independent and built institutions with the aim of improving the quality of life of the people of this country. He was the first to demand that there should be a seaport in Bangladesh when he gave 6 points. After independence, he made laws to ensure the rights we have in our maritime boundaries.
He said that the law of rights in the maritime boundary was made by the United Nations in 1982, and the Father of the Nation made it in 1974. It was an example in the world. Bangladesh is the first in South Asia to enact such a law.
Under this law, some compromises were also made with Myanmar. Unfortunately, none of the Zia government, Ershad Zia government or Khaleda Zia government that came to power after the father of the nation on August 15, 1975, have taken any initiative to ensure that we have rights in the maritime boundary, it seems that they do not know about this. After the formation of the Awami League government in 1996, we took this initiative. I am the signatory to the United Nations.”
Sheikh Hasina said, ‘We have taken the initiative to collect data to ensure our rights in this sea area. From 2001 to 2008, no one really took any initiative. Later we came back to power and our rights in our maritime boundaries were confirmed. The wealth we have in this vast ocean will contribute significantly to our economy. We have already announced Blue Economy. The maritime border that we have been able to achieve peacefully is also an example in the world. We have acquired maritime borders by maintaining friendly relations with two neighboring countries, India and Myanmar.
Bangladesh Coast Guard started its journey in 1995 on a small scale and has developed into a modern and up-to-date force in 29 years. After that, the Awami League government formed in 1996 made a special contribution to the progress of the Bangladesh Coast Guard by allocating land for different zones of the Coast Guard, building infrastructure and adding new vessels.
In this continuation, various types of infrastructure including Coastal Crisis Management Centers have been created at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country through extensive development from 2009 to 2024. Besides, vessels of various sizes have been constructed. Under various development projects, residences, barracks and administrative buildings have been constructed for the working members in the zones of the Coast Guard.
Recently, the Prime Minister announced the approval of a new project for the construction of 9 replacement ships for the Bangladesh Coast Guard and said, “Also, approval has been given for the procurement of 4 more OPVs, 2 maritime version helicopters for the deep sea patrol of the Coast Guard for the safety of the public engaged in sea-based professions and waterways. In order to modernize and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon.
He said that we have already given principled approval for the formation of aviation wing with the purchase of 2 helicopters, which will make the Coast Guard a three-dimensional force through addition. I am strongly optimistic that through the addition of these ships with modern technology and the development of communication systems, this force will gain more capabilities to face the challenges of the 21st century and will play a significant role in building a smart Bangladesh. Apart from this, a plan has been adopted to acquire 15,000 manpower by increasing the current manpower according to the 2030 and 2041 plans for the modernization of this force to provide green economy and security at sea.
Due to the limitation of resources on land, like other countries of the world, our attention is now focused on the sea region of the country, the head of government said, 90 percent of our international trade is conducted by sea and the huge wealth of the blue economy is stored in this Bay of Bengal. It is our responsibility to explore, extract and preserve these resources. The government is implementing the ‘Blue Economy’ policy to utilize the vast resources that we have in this marine area for our economy. Moreover, in this regard, there are many opportunities to work from developing our tourism industry.
He said, ‘Bangladesh Coast Guard is working relentlessly in activities like providing security of sea ports, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, control and prevention of sea and river pollution, piracy and forest robbery. Apart from this, the fearless members of this force have established themselves as true friends of the people and a symbol of trust by providing all kinds of assistance to the coastal communities of the country in various natural disasters such as cyclones, tidal waves, floods.