A Correspondent:
Barishal: Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan yesterday said that canal excavation projects cannot be carried out for earning money by contractors and engineers, but water flow in canals must be en-sured.
“Public money cannot be stolen. Contractors and engineers must ensure that canal water is used on agri-cultural land. Locals will monitor whether there is water flow in the canals,” he said.
The minister said this while inaugurating the two-kilometre long re-excavation work of Kutubpur Swa-nirbhar Canal in Nalchira Union of Gournadi Upazila in the district.
“Inform me whether the government works have benefited you, and if those have not benefited you, put me on the dock. No middlemen can exist here,” he added.
Referring to the 13th general election held on February 12, the minister said the BNP won the polls held in a free and fair manner as the party has a strong base among the people.
“If we cannot maintain the trust of the people, then we can learn from Sheikh Hasina what the conse-quences will be,” he said.
About the importance of media, the information minister said the more independent and responsible the media is, the more accountable the government will be.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is in favour of giving the maximum freedom to media as the government wants to be more accountable through responsible media freedom.
Senior officials of the ministry and different government entities were present on the occasion.
