He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Waste management of the city is the responsibility of all of us' held at the auditorium of Dhaka North City Corporation on Wednesday (July 15). State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam and State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque were present as special guests at the event.
The Local Government Minister said that waste management in Dhaka has been a long-standing challenge. As the capital is the main center of the country's economic activities, the population pressure here is constantly increasing. As a result, city management and waste management have become more complex.
He said that the initiatives of the government or city corporations alone are not enough to build a clean city. This requires active participation and responsible behavior from citizens. If everyone fulfills their responsibilities from their respective positions, it is possible to bring about the desired change in waste management.
The Minister further said that there is a mixed influence of urban and rural culture in Dhaka. A modern urban culture must be built by increasing civic discipline and awareness. Citing the example of AI-based traffic management, he said that just as people are learning to obey traffic laws through effective monitoring and awareness, positive changes can also be brought about in waste management.
He informed that the government is implementing various initiatives to make waste management modern, effective and people-friendly as per the Prime Minister's directives. The combined efforts of the government, city corporations and citizens are needed to make these initiatives successful.
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam said that turning city corporations into self-reliant and fully effective institutions is the need of the hour to eliminate the long-standing crisis of institutional and coordination gaps in city management. Through this, it will be possible to bring all agencies involved in urban development, including RAJUK, WASA, the Power Division, and the Traffic Police, under a single integrated legal framework.
He further informed that initiatives have been taken to implement two 'Waste-to-Energy' projects at Aminbazar in Dhaka and Matuail under Dhaka South City Corporation with the aim of converting waste into resources. Besides, to foster cleanliness and civic responsibility among future generations, topics on ethics and cleanliness will be included in primary-level textbooks from next year.
Youth and Sports State Minister Md. Aminul Haque said that the government's sole initiative is not enough to tackle a big challenge like city waste management. It must be turned into a social movement through the combined efforts of individuals, families and society.
The seminar, chaired by Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, was also attended by Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam, Secretary of the Power Division Mirana Mahrukh, Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, Managing Director of Dhaka WASA Md. Aminul Islam, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, and senior officials from various departments.
