Government Aims to Make Dhaka as Clean as Tokyo: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman

The government has set a goal of making Dhaka and the rest of Bangladesh cleaner, pollution-free, and healthier. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government wants to transform the capital into a city as clean as Tokyo, Japan.

He made the remarks on Wednesday evening, October 28, during an exchange of views with expatriate Bangladeshis at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo. The programme was organised by Bangladesh Community, Japan, where the Prime Minister responded to questions from members of the expatriate community.

Focus on Cleanliness and Waste Management
The Prime Minister said garbage is rarely seen scattered on the streets of Tokyo, while waste accumulates in different parts of Dhaka. He stressed the need to change this situation.

He said accumulated waste could spread germs and diseases, posing risks to public health. Maintaining a clean environment and ensuring proper waste collection and disposal are essential to protecting people's health.

Measures to Reduce Air Pollution and Promote Tree Plantation
Tarique Rahman highlighted the government's focus on improving the environment, reducing air pollution, and planting trees in different parts of the country.

He said effective measures were needed to ensure that people could move freely without being obstructed by waste and would not fall ill because of polluted air.

The Prime Minister added that making Dhaka as clean as Tokyo would be a significant achievement for the country.

Reforms Should Benefit Marginalised Communities
The Prime Minister said a key objective of the government's reform initiatives was to ensure that the benefits of development reached working and marginalised people.

He emphasised the importance of initiatives in education, healthcare and environmental improvement that would directly benefit ordinary citizens.

He also said reforms should improve people's everyday lives, including those of rickshaw pullers, CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers, workers, teachers, doctors and businesspeople.

Prime Minister Seeks Support from Expatriates
Tarique Rahman sought the cooperation of expatriate Bangladeshis in nation-building and implementing the government's reform initiatives. He said successful implementation of these plans would benefit ordinary citizens across the country, including the families of expatriates.

Addressing the expatriates, he said, “I am not asking you to vote for the BNP. If you think these initiatives are right, support us so that we can implement them.”

At the beginning of the programme, the Prime Minister also outlined plans related to children's education, healthcare, simplifying business procedures, reopening closed industries and creating new employment opportunities.

The event was attended by the Prime Minister's wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury; ministers, advisers and senior government officials. At the end of the programme, Japan BNP presented the Prime Minister and his wife with a photograph as a gift.