PM leaves for Dhaka after daylong visit to Cox's Bazar, Chattogram

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday left Chattogram for Dhaka after concluding his daylong visit to Cox's Bazar and Chattogram, where he inspected major development projects and joined programmes for the rehabilitation of flood-affected families.

The Prime Minister departed Shah Amanat International Airport for Dhaka by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 10:20pm.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman, also chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), joined an organisational meeting with leaders and activists of Chattogram BNP and its affiliated and associated organisations at the auditorium of Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View Hotel.

The two-hour meeting, which began at 8:15pm, was chaired by Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener and MP Ershad Ullah. Leaders and activists from Chattogram Metropolitan BNP, the North and South district units, and its affiliated and associated organisations attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister began his Chattogram tour by visiting Matarbari in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar, where he inspected the Matarbari deep-sea port, the 1,200-megawatt Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant and proposed development projects.

During the inspection, he placed particular emphasis on the efficient use of existing energy infrastructure, transparency and accountability in project management, regular maintenance and a long-term integrated energy plan to ensure the country's power and energy security.

He also inspected proposed sites for a 70-megawatt solar power project, an LNG-based power plant, a petrochemical project and a new refinery, as well as LPG, LNG and coal terminal-related infrastructure and sites earmarked for future coal-fired power plants.

From Matarbari, the Prime Minister travelled to Banshkhali, where he handed over keys to newly built houses to families whose homes were destroyed in the recent floods.

Under the government rehabilitation initiative, 100 flood-affected families in Banshkhali were selected to receive newly built houses. He also distributed relief materials among affected families and planted a mahogany sapling.

Later, the Prime Minister travelled to Fatikchhari and met Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah.

He subsequently visited Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasah in Hathazari and paid respects at the grave of late Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi.

The Prime Minister also attended a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people at Hathazari Government College ground, where assistance was provided to affected families.

The visit was Tarique Rahman's first to Maheshkhali, Fatikchhari and Hathazari since assuming office as Prime Minister.