DNCC to be corruption-free

AL mayoral aspirant Atiqul Islam tells the independent

Business icon Atiqul Islam, the Awami League (AL)-nominated candidate for the February 28 Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral by-election, will work to make Dhaka livable for all, if elected. “If elected, I will make Dhaka livable for people from all walks of life,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Independent last week.

Atiqul Islam, also former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association (BGMEA), said his dream is to make Dhaka a livable, secured and modern city by ensuring all modern amenities.  

“My plan is to build an active city where there will be no traffic congestion, a healthy city where people will get all necessary health facilities and a smart Dhaka where the dwellers will get modern city facilities. I will do everything that is needed to be done,” he promised.

“If elected, I want to help the government achieve its vision of making Bangladesh a middle income state by 2021 and a developed one by 2041 by making Dhaka a modern city,” he said.

Atiqul also promised to finish the unfinished tasks of former mayor, Annisul Huq, who wanted to make Dhaka a clean, green and healthy city.   

“You know Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had tried to implement her vision through Annisul Huq and I know what type of Dhaka the Prime Minister wants. So I will fulfill her dreams, if elected,” he said. When asked what would be his stand on corruption, the AL mayoral candidate said: “You know our Prime Minister has already announced a zero tolerance policy on corruption. If elected, I will make the DNCC corruption-free.”  

Replying to a question, Atiqul said: “Proper planning, as well as right leadership is needed to rebuild Dhaka. I hope we can do so under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

“There are multiple problems that plague our city. Lack of substantial and efficient transportation, road jams, food contamination, lack of healthy public space and low-cost housing, mosquitoes, clean city and waste management are priorities on my list,” he added.

“If elected, I will concentrate on waste management and recycling, introduce special transportation and public toilets for women, introduce Wi-Fi in public spaces.”

Replying to another question, Atiqul said: “You know that former mayor Annisul Huq was a prominent business. So, a business can do politics, like a politician can do business. So, there is no problem with a businessman.”

The ruling party picked Atiqul Islam as its candidate for the DNCC mayoral by-election, at a meeting of its local government nomination board, held at Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, on January 26.

According to the poll schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers for both the DNCC by-poll and elections in the new wards is January 30. Returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on February 2, and the last date for withdrawing candidacy is February 9.

The DNCC mayor's post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017. He was elected mayor. In terms of population, the DNCC is the country’s largest city corporation, with 23.45 lakh voters.

The BNP has nominated its party leader, Tabith Awal, who ran against AL candidate Annisul Huq in the previous election, after the government split Dhaka City Corporation into two in November 2011.

However, Tabith Awal boycotted the polls halfway through the voting, alleging widespread rigging. Consequently, Annisul Huq was elected mayor on April 28, 2015.

 

DNCC to be corruption-free

AL mayoral aspirant Atiqul Islam tells the independent

Business icon Atiqul Islam, the Awami League (AL)-nominated candidate for the February 28 Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayoral by-election, will work to make Dhaka livable for all, if elected. If elected, I will make Dhaka livable for people from all walks of life, he said in an exclusive interview with The Independent last week. Atiqul Islam, also former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said his dream is to make Dhaka a livable, secured and modern city by ensuring all modern amenities. My plan is to build an active city where there will be no traffic congestion, a healthy city where people will get all necessary health facilities and a smart Dhaka where the dwellers will get modern city facilities. I will do everything that is needed to be done, he promised. If elected, I want to help the government achieve its vision of making Bangladesh a middle income state by 2021 and a developed one by 2041 by making Dhaka a modern city, he said. Atiqul also promised to finish the unfinished tasks of former mayor, Annisul Huq, who wanted to make Dhaka a clean, green and healthy city. You know Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had tried to implement her vision through Annisul Huq and I know what type of Dhaka the Prime Minister wants. So I will fulfill her dreams, if elected, he said. When asked what would be his stand on corruption, the AL mayoral candidate said: You know our Prime Minister has already announced a zero tolerance policy on corruption. If elected, I will make the DNCC corruption-free. Replying to a question, Atiqul said: Proper planning, as well as right leadership is needed to rebuild Dhaka. I hope we can do so under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There are multiple problems that plague our city. Lack of substantial and efficient transportation, road jams, food contamination, lack of healthy public space and low-cost housing, mosquitoes, clean city and waste management are priorities on my list, he added. If elected, I will concentrate on waste management and recycling, introduce special transportation and public toilets for women, introduce Wi-Fi in public spaces. Replying to another question, Atiqul said: You know that former mayor Annisul Huq was a prominent business. So, a business can do politics, like a politician can do business. So, there is no problem with a businessman. The ruling party picked Atiqul Islam as its candidate for the DNCC mayoral by-election, at a meeting of its local government nomination board, held at Sheikh Hasinas official residence, Ganabhaban, on January 26. According to the poll schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers for both the DNCC by-poll and elections in the new wards is January 30. Returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on February 2, and the last date for withdrawing candidacy is February 9. The DNCC mayors post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017. He was elected mayor. In terms of population, the DNCC is the countrys largest city corporation, with 23.45 lakh voters. The BNP has nominated its party leader, Tabith Awal, who ran against AL candidate Annisul Huq in the previous election, after the government split Dhaka City Corporation into two in November 2011. However, Tabith Awal boycotted the polls halfway through the voting, alleging widespread rigging. Consequently, Annisul Huq was elected mayor on April 28, 2015.