Obaidul Quader
AL programmes won’t counter BNP rallies: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that his party does not believe in holding programmes just to counter those of other political parties.
“Programmes of the party will be held as per schedule. Various preparation meetings and series of programmes are being held by Awami League ahead of its national council,” he said.
Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said this at a preparatory meeting for the national council at AL president’s political office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.
He warned that if BNP initiates chaos and violence, people of the country will give fitting response. “BNP is still a big sponsor of militancy and communal forces,” he said.
Regarding Mirza Fakhrul’s comment that BNP MPs are ready to resign from the parliament, he asked whether the parliament will be paralysed after their resignation.
Read: AL is not obstructing BNP rally, says Obaidul Quader
He said it is BNP’s call to make, not that of the government.
Dr. Abdur Razzaq, Md. Farooq Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Advocate Kamrul Islam, Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and Dipu Moni, among other AL leaders, were present at the meeting.
Disarray in BRT project result of flawed planning: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project – from Gazipur to Dhaka – has turned into a major issue for the government.
“There are some complications on this route. The project started before I took office. The current state of this project, which is in disarray, is a result of flawed planning. However, I’ve instructed the project officials to wrap it up at any cost, so that we can open it in March-April next year,” the minister said.
Quader made the remarks while talking to journalists after attending a meeting with departmental heads of his ministry at the Secretariat today.
Also read: Dhaka BRT girder tragedy: Probe body find 12 reasons for the accident.
Asked what actions were taken against the Chinese company responsible for the BRT girder crash (on August 15, 2022) in Uttara, Quader said that although the company has been allowed to complete the construction work, they won’t get any more projects in Bangladesh.
Quader, also General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL), added that a total of 100 bridges in different parts of the country will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in the coming days.
“The bridges will be opened whenever the PM can manage some time. Before the inauguration, three rallies will be arranged in the Chattogram region, where most of the bridges have been constructed. The first phase of MRT Line-6 and Bangabandhu Tunnel will also be completed soon,” the minister added.
Read Dhaka BRT girder tragedy: Probe body find 12 reasons for the accident
Replying to a question, Quader said that although the country is facing various crises, it’s still faring better than a lot of other countries in the world.
“The government isn’t concerned about foreign exchange reserves as we’ll be able to make payments for 5-6 months with the current reserves. There won’t be any food crisis as we are producing ample food. We’ll also discuss the energy issue with Brunei. In a nutshell, we’re ready to face any crisis,” Quader further said.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s stance that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in the next general election which will be held under the incumbent government.
Read Dhaka BRT girder collapse: HC issues rule on providing TK 5 cr compensation.
Keep vigil against vandalism during Durga Puja: Obaidul Quader asks AL members
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday urged leaders and workers of the party to remain vigilant against any attempt at disrupting celebration of Durga Puja.
He made the call at a meeting with the puja celebration committee and Sanatan religious leaders at the political office of the Awami League president in Dhanmondi.
Read: Benazir directs police to ensure impenetrable security during Durga Puja
Awami League's Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Information and Research Secretary Salim Mahmud were present at the meeting.
Quader said that Awami League is determined to build a non-communal Bangladesh.
Later, Awami League General Secretary attended a discussion meeting organized by the relief and social welfare sub-committee of the party on the occasion of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday at Bangla Academy in the capital.
Quader said that Hasina was born to suffer like her father Mujib.
Mentioning the name of Sheikh Hasina, the most prominent Bengali and honest, courageous and efficient administrator in Bangladesh after Bangabandhu, Quader said that Sheikh Hasina is the epitome of transformation.
Read: DMP commissioner orders ensuring maximum security during Durga Puja
Awami League presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury presided over the event while Awami League presidium member Abdur Rahman, Bangla Academy Director General poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, Dhaka University Bangla Department Chairman Professor Dr. Syed Azizul Haque, Bangla Department Professor Dr. Bhismdev Chowdhury, Awami League Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandy spoke at the event.
Later, Obaidul Quader distributed educational materials and one-time merit scholarships among meritorious students of Bengali Department of Dhaka University.
Megaprojects cause BNP 'mega-pain': Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP couldn't implement any megaprojects during their tenure due to inept economic management, and now feel pained at the success reaped by AL.
'Megaprojects' in the Bangladeshi context are understood to be the large scale, ambitious, often eye-catching and usually involving infrastructure, projects that a government undertakes. Such projects may carry a degree of risk, but the political payoff for the administration associated with them are potentially huge.
Read:People will resist if BNP creates street violence: Obaidul Quader
“BNP suffers mega-pain when they look at the megaprojects of Bangladesh. Because, the economy of Bangladesh was in such a fragile condition during their regime that they didn’t have the mentality, courage, skills and financial capacity, and even couldn’t think of any mega project in the country,” he said in a statement.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said that BNP solely indulged in corruption and looting.
He said now Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina has made Bangladesh a role model for development with her able leadership, wisdom, integrity and talent.
The AL leader said Bangladesh is now moving forward in the new development trajectory by overcoming hunger, famine, drought and poverty under her leadership.
Read: UN can't investigate Bangladesh's internal issues: Quader
Quader said their government would able to continue the development trend and build a prosperous peaceful and welfare country for the next generations overcoming all anti-state conspiracies taking the people of Bangladesh with them under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, no matter how many evil attempts are made by the follower of Pakistan and the conspirators.
He also harshly criticised BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his remark that ‘they had been better in the Pakistani period.’
Quader strongly condemned and protested the remark terming it anti-state conspiracy and seditious speech.
Through this comment, BNP's traditional anti-Bangladesh stance and secret agenda of anti-liberation and ill-politics have been revealed once again, he claimed.
The AL leader said BNP is now raising voices about good governance, public safety and poverty in the country. But though BNP leaders have forgotten, the countrymen have not forgotten how they turned Bangladesh into a failed state during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, he added.
Getting Kushiyara water is a big success of PM’s India visit: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ongoing visit to India has been successful.
Quader said this at a dialogue organized by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters’ Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat’s Media Center in the capital on Wednesday.
He cited the agreement on sharing the water of Kushiyara River as a big success.
“Yes, there has not been any deal on Tessta, but we have got Kushiyara’s water. We are not returning empty-handed,” he said adding that Dhaka and New Delhi signed seven MoUs during Hasina’s four-day visit to India from Monday.
Quader also expressed his hope that the Teesta water sharing issue will be resolved soon.
The Teesta water sharing issue, he said, has been pending due to some reservations of the chief minister of West Bengal, he observed.
“I really hope that all sides will reach a middle ground and the Teesta issue will be resolved soon,” added Quader.
Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling AL, criticized the statement of BNP’s Secretary General about PM’s India visit and highlighted the past BNP government’s failure to discuss important national issues with India.
He claimed that during one her visits to India then-PM Khaleda Zia admitted that she had forgotten to raise the issue of water sharing problem.
Read: Up to PM to decide whether Momen will remain foreign minister or not: Quader
On the other hand PM Hasina has always discussed the water sharing issue with India, he said.
Quader also brushed aside the allegation that the Cabinet is weak.
“Some members of the Cabinet have come from the grassroots level. They may have some personal weakness but in general, the Cabinet isn’t weak. The weaknesses of some Cabinet members are being covered by the PM herself. That’s why the government is moving ahead swiftly without any impediments,” he said.
Replying to a question, Quader said that there shouldn’t be any age limit for politicians.
“A politician should only retire when both he and his party think that the time has come for him to step aside. Otherwise, a politician must do politics as long as he is able to do it. A person becomes a politician after dedicating his entire life in doing politics. It’ll be unfair if he isn’t allowed to do politics during his final years,” said the minister.
Tapan Bishwas, President of BSRF, presided over the dialogue. It was conducted by BSRF General Secretary Masudul Haque.
Up to PM to decide whether Momen will remain foreign minister or not: Quader
It is up to the prime minister to decide whether AK Abdul Momen will remain the foreign minister or not, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022).
The minister made the remark while speaking at a programme organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
The foreign minister is also “a human being and he can be unwell”, Quader added.
Read: Lawyer moves SC seeking Momen's disqualification
“I have no authority to say whether he will remain a minister or not… He said certain things a few days ago that were a slip of the tongue. The jurisdiction (to decide whether Momen will retain his post) belongs to the Prime Minister,” he said.
Besides, the foreign minister does not always have to accompany the prime minister during every state visit, said Quader.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited here, was (the India) foreign minister with him?” he asked.
Read:Momen not in PM’s entourage in India, cited “illness” as reason: Official
BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen did not accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her India visit citing “illness”.
At the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is on a state visit to New Delhi from September 5-8.
Read 2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader
Hasina, now in New Delhi, is visiting India after three years.
2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader
The inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel, under Karnaphuli river, will be done in two segments and open to traffic in October and November this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022).
“As it (the tunnel) has two tubes, the first tube will be inaugurated in October and the other in November. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate both tubes of the Bangabandhu tunnel,” he said.
The minister revealed this information while speaking at a programme, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
Read: Chinese firm CCCC tipped for toll collection, maintenance of Bangabandhu Tunnel
Besides, construction work of Kalna Bridge will be finished this month (September) and the PM will inaugurate it any time in October, he said.
Talking about Dhaka Metro Rail project, the minister said 94% work of the metro rail – from Uttara to Agargaon point – has been completed, which will be inaugurated this December. Metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel point is expected to be inaugurated in December, next year.
He also said, 52% of construction work of the Elevated Expressway has been finished and it is going on in full swing.
Read Light at the end of Karnaphuli tunnel
BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.
People will resist if BNP creates street violence: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday warned that if violence is committed in the name of the movement, it will be resisted by the people.
He was speaking at the three-day international conference on 'Green Bangladesh: Prosperous Bangladesh' organized by Awami League's sub-committee on forest and environment at Dhaka University's Senate Bhavan.
Quader,also the road transport and bridges minister, said that Awami League will never attack anyone. But if it comes under attack it will counter attack.
Opposition BNP, he said, is trying all possible ways to make the next election questionable as it knows very well that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can't be defeated in ballots.
Quader said police can't be blamed if they nab those accused in cases of terrorism.
He said, if BNP activists are criminals, why is there so much objection if they are brought under the law?
Read: Police too have the right to protection when under attack, Hasina tells Parliament
Chairman of Forest and Environment Affairs Subcommittee Professor Khandkar Bajlul Rahman spoke at the conference while Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin presided over the session.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Deputy Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel and Member Secretary of Forest and Environment Sub-committee Delwar Hossain also spoke at the event.
Plots to kill Sheikh Hasina: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said there are still conspiracies afoot to assassinate Sheikh Hasina fearing their (evil forces) defeat in the upcoming elections.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion marking National Mourning Day at the Secretariat premises arranged by Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Oikya Parishad on Tuesday.
Quoting BNP leaders and Mirza Fakhrul Islam's speech, Obaidul Quader said Sheikh Hasina repeat the speech of conspiracy as plotters tried to kill her 20 times.
"When August 21 comes, they (Plotters) can see their images in the mirror," Obaidul said.
Read: Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
He also said conspirators killed Bangabandhu as he was very famous. He can't be defeated in the polls. Sheikh Hasina was the main target of the August 21 grenade attack. Plotters know that there is no alternative to kill Sheikh Hasina to defeat her in the elections. As a result, they are hatching a conspiracy to kill her.
Mentioning that they (Awami League) are alert about any conspiracy, the senior leader of the party said they are observing the whole situation conspiracies at home and abroad.
Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Oikya Parishad president Mohammad Moinul Islam presided over the discussion while LGRD Minister Tajul Islam and Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, among others, spoke.
Momen's India remarks have no link with AL: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the Awami League has never requested India to provide the party with support to stay in power.
"The Awami League has never requested India to provide support to us to stay in power and no one has been given responsibility by Sheikh Hasina to say it. This may be one's personal opinion," he said.
Also read: I told India to help maintain stability in Bangladesh, Momen clarifies
He said this after inaugurating the central Janmashtami procession at Palashi intersection in the capital on Friday.
He commented that Bangladesh has no hostile relationship with India, and the country had been harmed by its hostility with India in the past
He also said that there were no communal attacks except for a few isolated incidents after Hasina's government came to power.
Also read: Requested India to help Bangladesh maintain stability, harmony: Momen
Those who attacked the Hindu community were miscreants,he added.