A high-level government delegation led by Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary A B M Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan visited several major development projects in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, on Sunday to assess their progress and explore ways to improve the living standards of local communities.
Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imran Mahmud Dalim welcomed the delegation with flowers upon its arrival at Maheshkhali jetty by waterway on November 8.
The delegation visited several key projects, including the coal-fired power plant, deep-sea port, Kalarmarchhara Single Point Mooring (SPM) project, LNG terminal and Dhalghata Economic Zone under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
During the visit, the Principal Secretary inspected the progress and implementation status of the projects and discussed related issues with project officials and local stakeholders.
He later held an exchange of views with local lawmaker Alhaj Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid, MP for Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia), and officials concerned.
During the discussion, the lawmaker called for prioritising the welfare of coastal communities, ensuring proper rehabilitation of people affected by land acquisition and creating employment opportunities for qualified local residents in the development projects.
In response, the Principal Secretary said the government was implementing the projects with a focus on local development and public welfare.
He expressed the government's commitment to taking necessary measures to ensure that local residents receive priority in benefiting from the projects and that their living standards improve.
Among others, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rubayet Ahmad and Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Abdus Sultan were present during the visit, along with officials from different government departments.
The arrival of the high-level delegation drew a gathering of local political leaders and residents.
