PM asks coast guards to protect maritime areas

PATUAKHALI, Dec 11 (Agencies): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina directed Thursday the members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) to be more active in protecting the country's maritime areas as the government has planned to extract marine resources.
She also asked them to put in their best efforts to contain piracy in the Sundarbans and protect Jhatka and the mother fish hilsa alongside ensuring the security of people living in the country's coastal belt.
The PM said her government is committed to making the concept of Bangabandhu's 'Blue Economy' into a reality.
Security of maritime resources is important to ensure their proper exploration and optimum use, she said, adding a strong law enforcement agency could ensure security of the marine resources.
The PM came up with the directive while commissioning the newly-constructed training base 'CG Base Agrajatra' for the BCG here.
State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and BCG Director General Rear Admiral M Makbul Hossain received the PM on her arrival at the Quarter Deck of the Training Base. A smartly turned out contingent of BCG gave her salute.
Sheikh Hasina later handed over the Commissioning Certificate to 'CG Base Agrajatra' commandant Captain Kawsarul Alam, unveiled the nameplate of the base as well as raised its flag. She also planted a sapling there.
Following the maritime boundary verdict over Myanmar and India, Hasina said the country established its rights over a cosmic marine area and over its resource which is almost equal to the country's land area.
The PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 14 development projects from the new Bangladesh Coast Guard training base,' CG Base Agrajatra', here in Patuakhali.
She inaugurated the infrastructural development of Patuakhali Pourasava under UGIIP-2 project, Uttar Karkhana Government Primary School-cum-cyclone shelter at Baufol, RCC Girder Bridge on Khaprabhanga UP-Dabluganj Hat Road at Kalapara in Patuakhali, Chotto Charkajal Government Primary School-cum-cyclone shelter at Galachipa in Patuakhali, Kochabunia Government Primary School-cum cyclone shelter at Patuakhali Sadar.