President, PM greet people on Rooppur nuke plant concrete pouring

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DHAKA, July 13, 2018 (BSS) – President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages conveying their heartiest greetings to all on the occasion of the first concrete pouring of the second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The President, in his message, said Bangladesh achieved the prideful membership of ‘Nuclear Club’ through pouring the first concrete of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on November 30 last year.

As part of its continuation, the first concrete pouring of the second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begun today, he said, adding, “I hope the works of the project will be more vibrant through this.”

Abdul Hamid said, “On this auspicious event, I convey my heartiest congratulation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with whose sincere efforts the mega project is being implemented.”

“I also convey my heartiest congratulation to all concerned officials, employees and engineers from home and abroad,” the President added.

He said the government is implementing huge development works to turn Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed nation by 2041.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Only seven months ago, on November 30, 2017, the first concrete of the first unit of this plant was poured. The construction of this unit has progressed fairly and now we are stepping into the construction of its second unit. Now, I believe that we will be able to implement this project within the stipulated time schedule.”

She said, “The construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is our long cherished dream that was initiated in 1961. But unfortunately, the implementation of that dream could not be materialized due to the discriminatory behavior of the then Pakistan government.”

Sheikh Hasina said soon after the independence, the greatest Bangalee of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook initiatives to implement the project. But its materialization came to a halt after his brutal assassination, she added.

“After assuming power in 2009, we took pragmatic measures to implement the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant,” she said.

The Prime Minister said, “To meet the increasing demand of electricity, our government has formulated a master plan. The construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is an integrated part of that plan. A total of 2,400 megawatts electricity will be added to our national grid from this plant by the year 2023-2024.”

“This power plant is being constructed using the most modern technology. To ensure nuclear and radiation safety, we are strictly following the guidelines of IAEA,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said, “We have been working tirelessly to materialize the dream of Bangabandhu and build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. We have recently graduated from LDC to developing country. I hope that Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will play a vital role in our socio-economic development and also in implementing the ‘Vision 2041’ of our government.”

She said, “I convey my heartiest greetings to all at this auspicious event of first concrete pouring of the second unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.”