President, PM urge all to ensure safe shipping in country

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged all concerned to ensure safe shipping in the country. In separate messages, on the eve of "Maritime Safety Week 2015", they hoped that the observance of the week would create awareness among the people. They appreciated this year's theme of the week 'Let us be cautious and avoid river accidents'. In his message, the President said the importance of shipping is immense in socio-economic development in Bangladesh. He urged the people concerned to maintain the highest level of caution while plying vessels on naval routes in inclement weather. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said shipping is the oldest and traditional mode of communication in Bangladesh. The government in last 6-and-half years implemented extensive development programmes in the sector to revive navigability of river routes and keep the rivers free of encroachment and pollution, she added. Highlighting a number of steps to ensure safety in shipping routes, the Prime Minister said a command and control centre has been established in Dhaka while seven local radio stations and four light houses set up in coastal areas. She hoped that all agencies and organizations concerned would be more active to ensure environment friendly and safe shipping in the country, according to BSS.