The world watched with great enthusiasm as the new government of Bangladesh let by the Awami League party was swearing in. AL came to power after almost seven years. People from all works of life have high hopes on this government after years or misrule, mismanagement and corruption. With almost 75% of vote for their party, AL carries an enormous weight to fulfill their election pledge. Their actions and steps will be watched all over the world and they will face a greater scrutiny of their actions. As I watch and think more, I realize that the AL government needs to act fast to materialize peoples dream and aspirations. Bangladeshi people could be very impatient in realizing their dreams. The widespread support that AL is getting now will evaporates with in 6 month to a year, if they can not show any concrete steps and direction.
The government of AL is in a better situation to fulfill their election manifestoes. The out going caretaker Government of Fakhruddin is leaving the country with some great news. The foreign currency reserve is at almost $6 billion dollar, price of essentials are going down and rice is selling for 20-24 taka now, price of Petroleum products are lower in the international market (below $45) and electricity generation is at an all time high and more power is going to be added soon due to CTG’s actions. Now AL has to continue the momentum that CTG left.
Here are some of the tasks that the incumbent Government of AL needs to do to give a positive image to the people of Bangladesh. The recent clean selection of Cabinet posts is a welcome sign for the people of Bangladesh.
Energy:
The Awami League in its election pledges said it would increase power generation to 5,000MW by 2011 and to 7,000MW by 2013. In order to do that it needs to do the followings:
1. Need to pass the contentious COAL Policy with greater participation and tacit support of opposition parties.
2. Based on the COAL Policy start exploration of COAL and construction of At least one or two 500 mw of coal fired electricity generation unit.
3. Formulate a Nuclear Energy Policy and Act for proper use of Nuclear energy for peaceful use and award contracts for construction of Nuclear Power stations. I have to mention that AL pledged to implement the Rooppur Nuclear Power plant and this will fulfil that.
4. Strengthen BAPEX (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company) to make it in per with international standards.
5. Resolve the maritime boundary issues with India and Myanmar and award off shore oil exploration contracts to reputed eligible exploration companies for our Energy Security. It would be fare to award BAPEX all of the Onshore areas and international companies for the off shore areas. But I will leave that decision on the experts.
6. Balancing and modernization of the lone Refinery of Bangladesh. Every year Bangladesh imports around 250,000 metric tons of refined petroleum products. If we can refine petroleum in our country, it will save a lot of money.
7. Look at alternate source of energy like Solar and put more emphasis on their development.
8. Procure more rigs for BAPEX and explore more gas with in next 2 years.
9. Award contracts for 450 MW Bibiyana and Sirajganj projects to generate electricity with in 6-8 months.
10. Take back those potential gas blocks that were awarded to the International companies and were never explored.
11. Start new thermal power generation units. Russia was eager to help in this regard and we should take on their promise.
12. Give permission to build the Saudi refinery in Chittagong that was agreed before with a private company of Bangladesh.
Transportation and Ports
Transportation sector is one of the most neglected yet very vital for our national interest. AL should move in this area with greater speed.
1. Start implementing and building the Deep Sea port as it pledged in its manifestoes.
2. Should construct Padma Bridge as it was also pledged in its manifestoes.
3. Create a national Highway policy like the USA and create District and Inter district highway system. The policy should state about specific need for minimum of four lane for District highways and six lanes for Inter-district highways.
4. Strengthen the Railway sector of Bangladesh and make it a public – private initiative company with greater importance of Independent decision making.
5. Root out corruption from the BIWTA ( Bangladesh inland Water Transportation Authority) and create a viable launch policy. Every year, thousands of people die due to launch accidents and capsizes for overcrowding. There should be stern punishment for over crowding of launches.
6. Build more modern jetties and launch terminals with greater participation of private companies and strict regulation for safety and security.
7. Create a modern ticketing system like USA or western countries and stop harassing motorist for bribe.
8. Strengthen Department of Motor Vehicle with more modern equipment and root out corruption from the department. The government can ask ACC to look at the department for any sign of Corruption and nepotism.
9. Start constructing the four lane highway from Dhaka to Chittagong and take upon the BOT offer of the Malaysian company for constructing a four lane highway from Dhaka to Chittagong.
10. Finish the Hatirjheel project and all other projects that CTG took to make Dhaka Traffic jam free.
11. Finish the circular waterway project.
12. Excavate and reclaim the lost waterways in and around Dhaka.
13. Reclaim lands and build a walkway around the banks of river Buriganga, so that in future people can not grab lands from there.
14. Privatize New-mooring Container terminal and Chittagong port and ban Trade Unions from there. The recent regulation for one trade union should be banned as they hamper the day to day activities of the ports and are a breeding ground for corruption and nepotism. The CTG government did a wonderful job in maintaining the Chittagong port and the momentum should be continued.
15. Finally and not the least, Build an underground or Monorail system in Dhaka.
Local Government, Politics and Law
Local governments are an integral part of our daily life. With out their development the country will not develop.
1. The Upazila election should be held and strengthen to facilitate development in the sub-urban areas of Bangladesh.
2. Ban student politics in Education institutions and ban political parties from having student organizations there.
3. Change the Article 70 of the constitution for floor crossing in the parliament. It effectively gagged a MPs independency.
4. Pass the Police act for effective participation of the Police force for the welfare of the public.
5. Strengthen the SWAT force with more resources from RAB and provide more training from USA. Disband RAB if necessary and integrate the RAB personal in SWAT.
6. Provide more resources and training to the Police force and make mandatory Army Training for three months in their first two years of the job. It will boost their moral and courage.
7. Restoration of the 1972 constitution.
8. Free administration from the political parties.
9. Setting up of National Security Agency for taking important decisions about our National Security matters.
Agriculture and Jute
Agriculture and jute are very important in our social economic development.
1. Agricultural subsidies should be expanded appropriately.
2. At least two more fertilizer manufacturing units should be constructed with in 3 to 4 years. Each year we import around 200 – 300 million dollars world of Urea fertilizer which can be saved by constructing 1 or 2 manufacturing units that will cost around 150 million or so. There by saving the country a staggering amount of money every year.
3. Implement IT technology in the Agriculture area for proper utilization.
4. More Research and Development budget for Jute and Jute products.
5. Mandatory use of Jute products for shopping bags and others.
IT, Internet and Telecommunication
Bangladesh can close the digital divide by implementing IT. IT can ensure transparency, accountability in our day to day activities.
1. Implement e-governance initiatives through out the government.
2. Finish the IT village aggressively situated at Kaliakor, Dhaka or any where suitable.
3. Implement a Judiciary Information system for the court system of Bangladesh.
4. Start a second sub-marine cable company.
5. Establishing a central e-governance centre for effective implementation of e-commerce/digital business.
6. Send a satellite for better telecommunication coverage in Bangladesh.
7. Free internet connection for Schools and colleges.
8. Start compulsory IT education course from grade 5 and above.
9. Withdraw any kind of VAT and tax from computers and accessories.
10. Set up small scale technology parks by private entities for proper utilization of IT resources.
11. Drastically cut Internet fees for better access to internet.
Yes, We can change. The election of 2008 in America showed the world that America can and will change when needed to safeguard its democracy, human rights and hope. What started out to be a long shoot dramatically materialized as one of the most remarkable event in the history of American and its creation. Ever since American was created the blacks were treated as inhuman, criminal and murderers, drug dealer and drug addicts. There was no one to fight for their rights except some of the few courageous leaders like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and others. On the Martin Luther King day, right before his Presidential Inauguration ceremony, President elect Barack Obama issues an statement stating “Our separate dreams are one”. The significant of this victory will reverberate through out the world. The ascending of a Black American as a President gives hope around the world.