<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that all roads in the haor region will be elevated for unobstructed water flow, aquaculture and maintaining smooth waterways.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I have already given directives that in every haor, beel and wetland area each and every road will be elevated,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said this while speaking at a programme on the occasion of inaugurating Bir Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment at Mithamoin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that all roads will be elevated so that the water flow during the rainy season will not be hindered, movement of fish and boats will not be obstructed, and the local communication system will not be hampered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“… That way the communication system from the cantonment to Sylhet and Dhaka will be eased,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheikh Hasina said that she thinks the cantonment in Mithamoin will play a pivotal role in maintaining overall security in the haor area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Besides, our defence system in the north-eastern region will be strengthened,” she added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that people of the haor areas always struggle during natural disasters for survival. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PM said that valiant Freedom fighter President Abdul Hamid has been elected repeatedly from the area since 1970, and served the masses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Remaining by the people of this remote area and being the constant companion during their good and bad times, he worked tirelessly to change their fate,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She mentioned that when he became the president, he wished to establish a cantonment in the area which would contribute to overall development of the region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“As per his wish, we have set up this cantonment,” the PM said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that the president has always played his role – whatever the post, deputy leader, deputy speaker, speaker and the president – with utmost sincerity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“He has finished two tenures as the president. We have decided to name the cantonment after him,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said that the president has had a major role in the country’s independence and in rebuilding the country after the Liberation War. “He is a devoted soul and leads an honest life to serve people of the country. We are very happy to name this cantonment after him.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said that although Bangladesh believes in the global peace, unfortunately, the country’s advancement has been barred due to the coronavirus pandemic and worldwide recession following the Russia-Ukraine war.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The world is suffering from economic recession due to that. The prices of essentials and transportation costs have gone up significantly. Price of each and every item is out of reach,” she observed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this connection he said that developed countries are also suffering the impact.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that to avoid any unwanted situation in Bangladesh, she has urged all not to leave even a single inch of land uncultivated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PM said that the government will move the economy forward so that the wave of recession does not severely impact the country. “We have to move with cautiousness, we have to maintain austerity and save our resources.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheikh Hasina said that the Awami League government has restructured the army as they have established 17 infantry divisions in Sylhet, 10 infantry divisions in Ramu and 7 infantry divisions in Barishal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that the government in the last four years has established 3 brigades and 58 small and large units under various formations. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the same time, she said, they have established 27 small and big units as ad hoc and reorganised 9 organisations. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last year, she said, they established Sheikh Russel Cantonment in Mawa-Jazira. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“At present, two new cantonments are in progress at Rajbari and Trishal,” she added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheikh Hasina said that they are working hard to modernise the army. So far, the army has procured state-of-the-art aircraft, helicopters, Tiger MLRS, Shorad Missiles, 4th generation tanks, APCs, missiles and other war equipment, she mentioned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides, advanced IT equipment and modern vehicles have been purchased, she said.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">About the CMHs, the premier said that the hospitals have been equipped with modern medical equipment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said they have organised advanced training and accommodation, and constructed mess and SM barrack for army personnel of all ranks. “We have also increased other facilities including salary and ration.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Considering the Bengali diet, she said, “We have arranged two meals of rice and fish-meat instead of bread.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She also raised the flag, released balloons, inspected a parade and received salute. She planted a sapling there and signed the visitor’s book. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>