DNCC people to have a feeling of \\\'change\\\' within a year: Annis

The mayors of Dhaka South and North City Corporations completed their first 100 days in office on August 14 last. The people do expect a lot from their mayors elected after a long gap and bifurcation of the corporation. The FE talked to the mayors to know about their experience in managing the affairs of a city that has been repeatedly adjudged as one of the worst cities on earth in recent years, in terms of liveability. The interviews are published below:

Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq believes that Dhaka city is still 'liveable' while admitting that its residents do encounter lots of problems everyday.
In an exclusive interview with the FE recently, Mr. Annis, however, assured the DNCC residents that they would have a feeling of 'change' within the first one year of his tenure.
He listed the grabbing of various drains and canals as one of the major reasons for creating the problem of water congestion in the city during the rainy season. 'It is a tough job to deal with', he said.
."Water congestion is a big problem for Dhaka city which we alone cannot solve. Wherever I go, I do notice extensive land grabbing.  Buildings have been constructed occupying the routes of canals and other water bodies," the DNCC mayor said.
The DNCC mayor announced the DNCC budget on July 29.
Annis said he has already instructed his councillors to fix their priority for the next financial year and this, he expressed the hope, would help solve the problem of water congestion to a large extent.
"Water congestion is not a problem for cities of Bangladesh alone. Many other South Asian cities such as Kolkata and New Delhi have been facing the same problem. Our problem is far more serious, but we are working on it," he said.
When asked what steps he is going to take against the DNCC councillors against whom there are allegations of  grabbing various canals, drains and even city corporation roads, Mr Huq said he also had heard of this kind of allegations but got no proof as yet.
The mayor, however, found the allegation about the construction of markets by a councillor in ward no. 5 in Mirpur 'true'.  
"It's a serious problem and I know that this allegation is there against many councillors. I have told them personally to refrain from this kind of acts. But it is very tough," said the mayor, adding: "I do not know what I will be able to do, but I will try."
"I have many priorities. Let me do some works first," he said.
Describing many of his priority tasks which he wants to implement immediately, Annis said there will be a feeling of 'change' among the DNCC residents within one year of his tenure.
The priority areas set by the DNCC mayor include disciplining the installation of billboards, ensuring lack of visibility of at least 70 per cent of the city garbage by next six months, freeing the city from nagging traffic congestion, making the city green, beefing up the security system and taking over the control of city parks from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk).  
"As part of our move to reduce traffic congestion, we will shift the market at Karwanbazar from its present location. We are negotiating with truck owners, labourers and their associations so that they do not park the trucks on the roads at Tejgaon, Mohakhali and Gabtoli. There have been no attempt to improve the situation in last 40 years, but we have taken an initiative," he said.  
Annis, a former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA), said he had made a number of election pledges. But the process of developing a city is lengthy.  For example, he said, it takes almost six months to construct a road involving physical work.
"We are very much aware of our commitments. It is not possible for me to evaluate my own achievement in the first 100 days as a mayor. But we have surely taken many preparations during this time."
When asked why the drive against illegal and risky billboards and illegal grabbers of footpaths and other city spaces was stopped, the mayor said the drive had not been stopped. He said he was just allowing the billboard owners and other illegal occupants some time so that they blame the DNCC for not giving sufficient time.
"The drive will start soon. I am giving time to every billboard owner so that they cannot say that I have destroyed their business as it is my responsibility to give them some space also," said Annis.
"I have requested the illegal occupants to leave the area space they have grabbed. If they themselves do not leave, we will make them to leave," he said.
When his attention was drawn to the Dhaka's worst ranking on the issue of liveability, He dismissed the observation that Dhaka was not liveable. Dhaka city, he said, is still liveable. "People would have left Dhaka if it was so. On the contrary, people are living here for 40 years and more are coming into the city continuously.
"Dhaka is of course liveable. Maybe there are some sufferings. We can make it better," he said, adding: Dhaka cannot be made a mega city as it is very old city. But definitely the city could be made clean and beautiful through the application of innovative ideas.
Regarding the citizens' access to the mayor, Annis said he answers 90 per cent of SMS he receives but does not receive any unknown phone call. Besides, he said, any citizen has free access to him.
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