While the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Atiqul Islam, has expressed his commitment once again to build a safe Dhaka, he could not affirm when his plan would be executed.
“Lack of coordination among concerned authorities and laws regarding implementation of such initiatives by the DNCC are hindering the process,” Atiqul said at a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The program was organized by the Dhaka Utility Reporters Associations (DURA) on Tuesday, presided over by association president, Mashiur Rahman.
The mayor explained several issues related to his plan, to ensure safety in the city, and make it disaster-free, but he could not confirm when it could possibly be implemented.
According to the mayor, the teams working for monitoring the buildings would have to look into three aspects: Fire safety, building safety, and electrical safety.
The mayor, replying to another question, said the DNCC would first give importance on clean fire exits. He urged all shops or other organizations to clean emergency stairs instead of using it for their business purpose.
He also assured that initiatives for a Nagar app, a designated cell number, and a complaint box in-front of every regional office would be set up very soon.
DNCC to start drive on Thursday or Saturday
Atiqul said DNCC is forming teams to monitor buildings in Dhaka city, while about 24 teams from Rajuk have already started their work.
He said a DNCC official have already been assigned to form the committees.
Besides, garment owners have ensured that they would provide some fire-fighters working at the garments to clean emergency exits.
“If we can form 10 such teams and let them work, it would bring good results over time. The teams will start their drives from Thursday or Saturday,” he said.
It is unfortunate but true that the Rana Plaza disaster had opened an opportunity to rebuild safety issues for the garments industry of the country and this Banani fire has show a path to make compliance approach to the city dwellers for a safe Dhaka, he added.
Tasks DNCC will ensure-
1. Clean fire exits
2. Building awareness so that the person responsible of a building would be forced to ensure safety
3. Provide training to security guards so that they can point out exit routes
4. Compulsory mapping for any building for fire exits
5. Practice regular fire drills
