Staff Correspondent: The Maritime Safety Week-2021 will be observed across the country from tomorrow to create awareness among the people on maritime laws and shipping related safety measures.
The theme of this year’s Maritime Safety Week is “Safe water way is the oath of Mujib Year’.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the eve of the week with a call to all concerned to ensure safe shipping in the country by making the naval journey free from pollution and illegal occupation.
In his message, the President called upon all to free the rivers from pollution and occupation and materialize the dream of building a safe and world class naval system.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said, “The greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid great emphasis on shipping to accelerate the pace of development and ensure sustainable development in our post-independence war-torn country”.
“His visionary thinking led to the enactment of The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974. Following the path, the Awami League government has been working relentlessly for the overall development of the most popular shipping system as a safe and comfortable means of communication,” she said.
The govt has been implementing comprehensive programs to keep rivers and waterways alive, expand and develop waterways and protect the environment, she said, adding the country’s vast maritime borders have added to the country’s inland water resources a new dimension in shipping.
‘Establishment of Global Maritime Disaster and Safety System and Integrated Maritime Navigation System’ and ‘Development of Maritime Legislation of Bangladesh’ at a cost of Taka 455.95 crore and 4.12 crore respectively and a new project called ‘National Ships and Mechanized Boats Database Management and Capacity Building’ have been taken for the economic development of the country along with the overall maritime security of all types of domestic and foreign ships plying inland, coastal and sea routes, she said.
It will also brighten the image of the country by maintaining international commitments, said the premier.
She urged to refrain from navigating or sailing in foul weather or with extra passengers or at risk of any unwanted danger including mechanical faults.
“Celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, we will all move forward in building the golden Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream by building a safe, joyful, eco-friendly shipping system, this is our conviction,” she said.
The President and the Prime Minister wished the overall success of all the programs taken on the occasion of ‘Maritime Security Week-2021’.