Mega Projects Being Prioritised for ‘Plundering’: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged on Monday that the government is giving priority to 'mega-projects' rather than to the health sector in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The health sector has no (governed) priority. Their only goal is to build mega-projects and engage in mega-plundering as a global corruption festival goes on, "he said.

The BNP leader came up with the allegation while practically inaugurating the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh program, a pro-BNP body of doctors.

He regretted that the government had not yet accepted the Coronavirus Testing Kit produced by Gonoshasthaya Kendra just to perpetuate corruption in the name of procurement kits.

"We should keep in mind that the current government is a one-party, fascist one. The despotic regime never works for people's welfare. Only a democratic government will cope with a pandemic like coronavirus, "Fakhrul added.

He called on their party leaders and activists to stand by people to save their lives and livelihoods and work to transform Bangladesh into a democratic society.

The BNP leader stated that patients are not getting care in hospitals because the health system has failed.

He criticized the government for what he said having failed to ensure the safety of doctors and provide them with quality safety gears.

Fakhrul said their party earlier proposed keeping doctors who are engaged in coronavirus treatment at the big hospitals on health safety ground, but the government could not do it.

He alleged that the government is not providing people with authentic information about the fresh infections and deaths.

“Experts are saying correct information is necessary to tackle a corona-like pandemic. But they’re not giving people the right information.”

The BNP leader also said the country’s real corona picture still cannot be known due to the poor testing capacity.

Fakhrul said that the government might have prevented an epidemic of the virus if proactive steps had been taken in conjunction with all parties and stakeholders.

With regard to the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, he said that the government did not frame the budget in light of the current crisis, saving people's lives and properly equipping hospitals.

Fakhrul said citizens are still dying owing to shortage of air, ICUs and ventilators due to government incompetence.

The leader of the BNP said that their party was distributing relief materials among the poor and needy according to the directives of their party chairperson and acting chairman.

He claimed they could reach around two crore people with their relief and financial assistance.

Source: UNB