DHAKA, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today commissioned
a full-fledged naval base here to be called ‘BNS Sheikh Mujib’ with officials
saying the installation was crucial to cater the operational needs of the
force in the capital.
The navy base, first after the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was set up in Khilkhet area.
Naval officials said the base was set up with a particular objective to
coordinate disaster response services alongside running their naval
information technology programmes and naval intelligence training.
Navy helicopters would be stationed as well in the newly floated base,
they said.
PM’s security advisor Major Gen. (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of
Bangladesh Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and senior military and civil
officials were present.
Commanding officer of the BNS Sheikh Mujib Moinuddin Mallik received the
‘Commission Farman’ from the prime minister.
On her arrival at the new naval base, the prime minister was given a state
salute while national anthem was played.
On the occasion, the prime minister inaugurated 22 high rise buildings in
Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna and laid the foundation stone of BN township at
Savar through video conferencing and talked to commanders of the naval areas,
navy officers and their spouses.
She also unveiled a book ‘Bangladesh Navy in the 21st Century’ which has
chronicles of Bangladesh Navy and stages of its historical transformations
and contributions towards the nation.
The BN township will be constructed at Savar by a Chinese construction
firm. The Township will have ten 27-storied and twelve 26-storied residential
buildings with modern facilities in addition to educational institutions,
hospitals, ladies club, shopping mall and car parking facilities.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony of the BNS Sheikh Mujib, the prime
minister highlighted the steps taken by her government to build up a three-
dimensional force.
Bangladesh Navy would be made more stronger if her party comes to power
again, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has been making relentless stride for
building a prosperous nation. At the same time, the government is trying its
level best to develop the three services which are symbol of the country’s
independence and sovereignty, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
saw a dream of developed Bangladesh and had build an armed forces befitting
to an independent country. So, Bangabandhu formulated defense policy, she
said.
Despite severe economic crisis, she said Bangabandhu rose up the
Bangladesh Navy after independence and commissioned BNS Isha Khan.
Bangabandhu also formulated the Territorial Water and Maritime Zone Act in
1974 which the UN formulated in 1982, she continued.
Sheikh Hasina said her government procured most sophisticated frigate for
Bangladesh Navy after coming to power in 1996 along with other steps for
modernisation of the naval force. But the modernisation process witnessed
setback after changeover of the government in 2001.
Over the last nine years Bangladesh Navy has emerged as an international
standard three-dimensional force, the prime minister said, adding the BNS
Sheikh Mujib will play important role in disaster management and public
welfare along with regular operational activities.
