Tarique Rahman visits Matarbari to inspect mega projects

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has arrived in Matarbari of Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, during his first visit to the Chattogram Division. He reached the Matarbari power plant area by an Air Force helicopter at 10:50 am today, Sunday. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and local leaders welcomed him there.

Earlier, the prime minister left Dhaka for Maheshkhali from Tejgaon Airport at 9:15 am.

At the beginning of his visit, he is inspecting the activities of nationally important mega projects in Matarbari. According to the schedule, the prime minister will visit the Matarbari deep sea port, the coal fired power project and various activities of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority.

Large scale industrial and transportation infrastructure is being developed in Maheshkhali around the Matarbari deep sea port and power project. Officials concerned said the progress, current status and future activities of these projects will receive priority during the visit.

The prime minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said that alongside inspecting the mega projects, the prime minister will also participate in rehabilitation activities for people affected by the recent floods. At around 12:30 pm, he is scheduled to hand over new houses to affected people at the West Banshkhali High School and College field in Baharchhara Union of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram.

The prime minister will then visit Al Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari at around 2 pm to meet Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari. Later, he is scheduled to visit Hathazari and pay respects at the grave of the late Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi at Al Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam Madrasa at around 3:15 pm. He will take a break at the Hathazari Dak Bungalow at 3:45 pm.

At 5 pm, the prime minister is scheduled to attend a rehabilitation program for people affected by the floods at the Hathazari Government College field. New houses will be handed over to affected people there.

In the evening, the prime minister will return to Chattogram city and attend an organizational meeting at the auditorium of Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View Hotel. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 7:15 pm.

Atikur Rahman Rumon said the prime minister will travel by helicopter from Dhaka to Maheshkhali and by road from Fatikchhari to Chattogram. At the end of his daylong schedule, he is scheduled to leave Chattogram for Dhaka by air from Shah Amanat International Airport at around 9:30 pm.

This is his first visit to Chattogram district since assuming office as prime minister. It is his second visit to Cox’s Bazar. The visit has been arranged around the inspection of mega projects, monitoring infrastructure development activities and the rehabilitation of people affected by the floods.