<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The National Local Government Day will be observed tomorrow in a befitting manner for the first time in the country with the theme 'Efficient Architect of Service and Improvement, Local Government in Development-Innovation'.</span><br></b></div><div><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div>In separate messages on the eve of the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today wished all the successes of the programmes taken in connection with the observance of National Local Government Day.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In his message, the President said there are five levels of local government system starting from city corporation, district, upazila, municipality and union.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Elected local representatives and officials of the local government institutions are working tirelessly to provide better civic services and to build Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the head of the state added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The President hoped that by observing the day, the bond between the local government and mass people will be strengthened and service delivery will become easy and hassle-free.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "I am very happy to know that 'September 14' is being celebrated this year for the first time as 'National Local Government Day'."</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>On this auspicious occasion, the Premier extended her best wishes and congratulations to all the members of local government division and local government institutions and the people of this country.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She firmly believed that this day will open new doors to get closer to the land and people, apart from serving the people in the country in days to come.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The foundation of local government was laid in the country through the development philosophy of the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The local government was clarified in Articles 59 and 60 of the country's constitution as well as the First Five Year Plan, she added.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>One of the plans of the First Five Year Plan was - 'The new local government institutions will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of road, drain and irrigation infrastructure, public health, sanitation, education and provision of social welfare services', she continued.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In continuation of that, all local government institutions across the country are active and dedicated to multi-dimensional welfare activities, she said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the Awami League-led government has developed the country's rural sector in the last 14.5 years by improving 75,825 kilometers (km) of roads and construction/reconstruction of 4,35,307 meters of new bridges/culverts.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The government developed and rehabilitated 1, 21, 623 km paved roads and 1, 58, 579 bridge meters / culvert, she said, adding that construction/expansion of 1, 767 Union Parishad Complex Buildings and 406 Upazila Parishad Complex Buildings have been made.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>"Our greatest asset is the people of the country," she said, adding that people should be more involved in the development activities of the government.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>She also emphasised listening to people's demands and problems to ensure development in future.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>By 2041, the local government should be made smart and service-oriented to build a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina hoped, reports BSS</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>"With the combined efforts of all, we will be able to build a hunger-poverty-free and developed Sonar Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation, Insha Allah," she continued.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>