Govt committed to ensuring safe water for coastal communities: Faridul Islam
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has said the government is working with utmost importance to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene for the people of coastal areas. Increasing the use of rainwater while reducing dependency on groundwater is crucial to save people living in coastal areas, he added.
The state minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inception workshop of the "Solar-Powered Safe Water for Coastal Communities" project held at the Rampal Upazila Auditorium on Saturday. Shaikh Faridul Islam said, "The government is working with various development partners and NGOs to ensure safe water supply for the coastal communities. Under the 'Solar-Powered Safe Water for Coastal Communities' project, the concerned organizations are playing an important role as a catalyst for the government. Everyone should come forward collectively for safe water, sanitation and health protection."
Stressing the importance of ensuring a healthy environment in educational institutions, the State Minister said, "It is especially important to ensure safe and healthy toilet facilities for girl students in every educational institution." Rampal Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tamanna Ferdousi presided over the workshop. Bagerhat Zilla Parishad Administrator Barrister Sheikh Md. Zakir Hossain addressed it as a special guest. Rampal Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abhijit Chakraborty, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mongla Circle) Refatul Islam, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sukanta Kumar Pal, Upazila Public Health Engineer Md Imran Hossain, Rampal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rajib Al Rashid, Environmentalist Md Noor Alam Sheikh and World Vision Bangladesh official Jenny Mildred D'Cruz were present.
Local public representatives, government officials, NGO representatives and stakeholders participated in the workshop organized in collaboration with Rampal Area Program and World Vision Bangladesh.
