RANGPUR, Dec 5, 2021 (BSS) - Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Water
Resources A K M Enamul Hoque Shamim MP today said char people are getting
government services and modern facilities like electricity at doorsteps to
change their life fast.

   "The extent of river erosion has already reduced substantially following
successful implementation of the first, second, third and fourth phases of
the Char Development and Settlement Project at Taka 917 crore as the fifth
phase continues smoothly," he said.

   He was addressing the opening session of the 'Regional Char Convention
2021: success, opportunities and future priorities' jointly organised by
National Char Alliance (NCA) and Care Bangladesh at RDRS Bangladesh
auditorium as the chief guest.

   He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking more initiatives, including
the Teesta Mega Project at around Taka 9,000 crore, to resolve the problems
of char people and their sustainable development on the way to build a
developed Bangladesh.

   The Deputy Minister said the main goal of the present government led by
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is development of all people leaving none
behind.

   "For this reason, the government is working intensively for the
development of every person in this country. Char areas are part of the
government's master plan for development," he said.

   He said the Ministry of Water Resources is working to prevent river
erosion, the biggest problem of char areas.

   Founding Chairman NCA and Chairman Unnayan Shamannay Dr Atiur Rahman
presided over the opening session of the day-long convention and delivered a
welcome speech.

   Member-secretary of NCA and Senior Coordinator of Unnayan Shamannay
discussed the background and perspective of the regional convention.

   Chief of Party of SHOUHARDO III program Marc Nosbach gave an introductory
remark from CARE Bangladesh.

   Abdul Mannan Majumder, Adviser, Governance and Community Engagement of
Chief of Party of SHOUHARDO III program of Care Bangladesh presented a draft
proposal on inclusive involvement of stakeholders in char development
programmes.

   Later, Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary MP (Gaibandha-1) and MA Matin MP
(Kurigram-3) attended the two parallel sessions while State Minister for
Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain MP (Kurigram-4) attended the
closing session as the chief guests.

   The policy makers, public representatives, high officials, experts,
inhabitants of char areas, representatives of private sectors, civil society
and NGOs and international development organisations and journalists
participated in the event.

   Several keynote papers were presented at different sessions of the
convention and the participants pointed out their views and forwarded
suggestions for comprehensive and sustainable development of char people
after taking part in group works.

   Country Director of Care Bangladesh Ramesh Singh delivered the closing
speech while Deputy Chief of Party of SHOUHARDO III program Afrhill Rances
thanked the participants in the convention for their presence and rich
contribution.