Atiqul seeks help of experts to solve city problems

Seeking assistance from experts in different sectors, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor-elect Atiqul Islam has vowed to solve major problems of the megacity.

"During my tenure I will try to solve all the major problems including traffic jams, waterlogging and the mosquito menace with assistance from city planners," he said, speaking at a press briefing at his campaign office in Dhaka’s Banani on Sunday.

Focusing on the plan to urbanize the newly added 18 wards under his jurisdiction, Atiqul said a project plan has already been submitted to the Planning Ministry and Local Government Engineering Department for improving the roads and other civic facilities there.

"The projects got the green light and the work will begin once the necessary funding is released from the Ecnec (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council)," he said.

All posters to be removed at the earliest

Atiqul Islam also pledged to remove all posters from areas under his jurisdiction as soon as possible. 

A city corporation worker takes down election posters, used in Dhaka city polls, on February 2, 2020 | Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

Although the Election Commission set a 24 hour deadline on Sunday for the removal of all posters, the new mayor said it might take three days to remove them all.

“We will work together to remove posters as early as possible. My supporters, the councillors and their supporters, will remove these posters,” he said.

“Paper and plastic from the posters will be separated and recycled,” he added.

The mayor thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed gratitude to the Awami League election coordination team for DNCC, the ruling party activists, and voters. He also thanked the Election Commission for holding a participatory election.

The mayor urged all the people of the capital to love Dhaka as their own city.

Atiqul Islam was unofficially declared the elected mayor of DNCC as he secured 447,211 votes in the polls held on Saturday.

A well known businessman, Atiqul now heads the Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industries, or CEBAI. He was also president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association for the 2013-14 term.