DHAKA : The Local Government Division (LGD) has achieved its six-month targets in several areas, including tree plantation, canal excavation and waste management, as part of the government’s first 180-day special action plan.

The present government has launched its journey with the aspiration of “Bangladesh First” describing local government as the centre of democracy and development.

To implement the government’s election manifesto and its people-oriented commitments, the LGD adopted a special action plan for the first 180 days. 
Its main objectives were to rapidly deliver services to people’s doorsteps, build sustainable infrastructure and strengthen social safety.

As part of the action plan, the LGD is working in 22 sectors. Notable areas include rural infrastructure development, maintenance of rural roads, construction of bridges and culverts, tree plantation, canal excavation, supply of safe drinking water, waste management, rural employment, local government elections and development of the local government system.

Officials of the local government ministry said the LGD operates across the country and it is not possible to develop everything simultaneously within just six months.

However, 100 percent of the targets in several sectors have been achieved within the six-month period.

The achievements included plantation of 14 million trees across the country, paving 3,000 kilometres of rural unpaved roads, construction of 13,265 metres of bridges and culverts, construction of 11 multipurpose cyclone shelters, construction of 26 Union Parishad offices, collection of 90 percent of waste in urban areas and formation of new WASAs.

Over the next five years, 250 million trees will be planted and maintained across the country.

According to the election manifesto, under the LGD’s 180-day action plan, many trees have been planted through offices, agencies and local government institutions under the division.

Joint Secretary of LGD Dr Monirul Islam told BSS, the six-month targets for canal excavation and tree plantation have been achieved through various institutions of the LGD.

“Besides, encouraging results have been achieved in rural infrastructure development including roads, bridges and culverts, greening city corporations and waste management initiatives," he added.

“Work is progressing according to the action plan. We have started paving unpaved roads, repairing roads, and initiatives for safe drinking water, surface water and rainwater harvesting. All work will be completed step by step as planned,” he said.

Officials involved in the ministry’s development activities told BSS that the election manifesto contains a commitment to building an efficient, accountable and service-oriented local government. 

One of the key objectives of the LGD’s 180-day action plan is to enhance the capacity of elected representatives and officers/employees of local government institutions and ensure rapid and quality services for the people.

To this end, 7,378 elected representatives and officers/employees have been provided training in 180 days through the National Institute of Local Government.

According to data presented by the ministry, 90 percent of waste is being collected daily in urban areas. In waste management, the Circular Future model and 3-R policy have been implemented in cities, while pilot initiatives have been undertaken for waste segregation.

To this end, necessary modifications have been made to ongoing projects. Integrated waste management facilities are being constructed in 37 district towns and 50 upazila towns. 

The 3-R policy is being implemented in waste management under ongoing projects. Waste is being converted into energy under an ongoing project in Cox’s Bazar.

To ease traffic congestion in Dhaka, 13 intersection signal lights have already been installed and put into operation as part of the development of the automated traffic signal system, while work is underway to install another 37 intersection signal lights soon.

For ensuring safe water supply in Dhaka city, daily production by Dhaka WASA has reached 295-300 crore litres against a daily demand of 320-325 crore litres.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of six months of the BNP government, the Prime Minister’s Office has published an e-book titled “180 Days of the People’s Government.” The book says the BNP government took charge on February 17 after more than one and a half decades of rule.

During its first 180 days in office, the government has taken reform and development measures in various sectors, including the economy, agriculture, social protection, education and health.

The book also highlights various initiatives taken for political reforms, accountability and prevention of wasteful expenditure.