Tarique urges Dhaka residents to keep city clean through public awareness

If this country has to be built, each of us has to be aware, he says

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Dhaka residents to be more aware in managing waste and keeping the capital clean, saying civic responsibility is key to building a habitable city.

During a food and clothing distribution programme marking former president Ziaur Rahman’s 45th death anniversary in Jurain on Saturday, he also described his visit across the capital on Friday to inspect the sacrificial animal waste cleanup.

Highlighting that conservancy workers of the two city corporations in Dhaka have already removed the animal waste to large extent in many areas, the premier said there are still many places left.

Emphasising cleanliness across the capital and referring to the event venue, he said: “Now think about it. If the area is clean, you will feel good about yourself."

Tarique said, “When you see pictures of roads of other countries on TV, don’t you get a little jealous wondering why our roads are so dirty?

“I do, bother. But I feel jealously that the roads in that country are so clean. Why aren’t the roads in my country clean?” he said.

According to him, the citizens of that particular country keep the roads clean.

“Just as the city corporation cleaners clean the roads, the people of that country also don’t throw garbage everywhere.”

Urging citizens not to throw garbage everywhere, he suggested throwing garbage in bins.

“If we all are careful not to throw garbage everywhere, then it will be easier for the cleaners to clean up."

The prime minister said, "I want to say the country does not belong to anyone alone. If this country has to be built, each of us has to be aware. If this country has to be taken forward in a good way, each of us has to work hard.

“Let us take an oath today, on the martyrdom anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman, that we will all build the country together," he said.