'People of Satkhira don't want to stay in water for 9 months'

A civil dialogue has been held in Satkhira on what to do to eliminate possible waterlogging in the coming monsoon season. The dialogue was jointly organized by Satkhira District Citizens' Committee and private research institute Barsik at the Satkhira Public Library auditorium on Monday at 11 am.

Satkhira District Awami League Joint Secretary and Sadar Upazila Chairman Asaduzzaman Babu, Sadar Upazila Women's Vice Chairman Kohinoor Islam spoke as guests in the dialogue chaired by Satkhira District Citizens Committee convener Md. Anisur Rahim and conducted by Member Secretary Abul Kalam Azad.

In the dialogue, veteran journalist Subhash Chowdhury read an article titled 'Coming rains and waterlogging: Preparation for drainage is urgent'. Welcoming remarks were made by Gazi Mahida Mizan, Assistant Program Officer, Barsik.

Citizen leader and educationist Professor Abdul Hamid, Principal Ashek-e-Elahi, Jasad leader Obaidus Sultan Bablu, Basad leader Adv. Sheikh Azad Hossain Belal, Bangladesh Jasdar leader Professor Idris Ali, Jatiya Party leader Anwar Zahid Tapan, human rights activist Madhab Chandra Dutta, development activist GM Moniruzzaman and Adv. Muniruddin, journalist Abdul Waresh Khan Chowdhury, climate activist SM Shahin Alam, Ashura Begum, a resident of Machkhola village affected by waterlogging, Anima Dasi of Rajarbagan area, Jahanara Begum of Baddipur Colony, Ashraf Ali and others.

The speakers said that our life has become miserable in such a way that, "we will stay in the water with snakes and frogs for nine months of the year and stay well for three months. We want to be saved from this pain. We want a water-free town. "

Highlighting this experience of human suffering, they further said that the people of Satkhira will again face waterlogging if the shrimp farming areas are not cleared before the onset of monsoon season and water is not removed through proper drainage system.

Satkhira Sadar Upazila Chairman Asaduzzaman Babu said the money allocated by the government is being squandered. In the name of excavation, the officials of the Water Development Board are not hiring contractors but are indirectly looting crores of rupees from these excavations in the name of removing water. The same looting that was carried out in the name of salary mining in 2014-15 is still being observed. In the name of excavation of life in Satkhira, embezzlement of money with unrealistic projects and looting of government money in the name of pepper spray is going on. And the Water Development Board is not accepting any of our statements as the people's representative in these matters. He is even making excuses to inform the people's representatives about the inside and outside of these works.

Taking part in the dialogue, the civil society representatives said that it would not be beneficial to have a polite dialogue to overcome the water blockade but to hold the administration, water development board and those concerned accountable. The government has allocated Tk 48 crore for the master plan for excavation of 72 canals and two rivers in Satkhira. But this money cannot be used for the welfare of the people.

They further said that the money allotted by the government was bought by the PAUBO officials in the name of the contractors in disguise. Sub-contractors are hired for that work. And the sub-contractors put an end to the project by showing a little work by contracting with the workers. In this way the government money is pocketed by the officials. And people keep drowning in waterlogging again and again. The members of the citizens' committee strongly remarked that the people could be freed from waterlogging by digging the Pransay canal regularly, demolishing three or four useless gates of the wage and breaking the small dams in the name of shrimp farming and activating the drainage system in Satkhira municipal area.

Satkhira Municipality, Sadar Upazila Parishad, all UP chairmen, all public representatives, professional organizations, political parties and civil society should come together and work on one platform.