DHAKA: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said democracy must be institutionalized and the local government system strengthened to consolidate democracy in the country. He made the remarks when administrators from 33 district councils paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon. Describing local government as one of the key pillars of democracy, the president urged the district council administrators to work actively to eliminate corruption left behind by the previous era.

During the meeting, the district council administrators placed several demands before the president, including raising their status. The president assured them of government cooperation in resolving their problems, saying, “This government is the government of the people and will take quick steps in this regard.”

Fakhrul Islam said the government is working seriously to strengthen the local government system as part of efforts to decentralize power. The president also recalled the active participation of district council administrators in restoring democracy and their role in the long-running movement against fascism. He urged the administrators to bring greater dynamism to development activities, ensure effective citizen services at the local level, and maintain administrative transparency.

DHAKA – LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has expressed hope that the World Bank will further strengthen its support for the country’s sustainable development and improvement of people’s quality of life. He said various government initiatives are underway in important areas such as water supply, sanitation, rural development and addressing the impacts of climate change.

Continued support from development partners is necessary to make these activities more effective and sustainable, he said when World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Jean Pesme paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Secretariat today.

Various issues including the World Bank’s support for various ongoing development projects in Bangladesh, water supply and sanitation systems, rural development, climate change and local government sector were discussed.

The minister said the government and development partners need to work in coordination to accelerate and sustain the country’s development activities. He said WB support could play an important role in strengthening the capacity of the local government sector and ensuring quality civic services reach people at their doorsteps.

The minister expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s longstanding support for Bangladesh’s development journey and hoped that the bank would continue its support for the country’s key development initiatives in the future.

During the exchange of views, emphasis was placed on further strengthening the existing cooperation between Bangladesh and the World Bank. LGD Md Shahidul Hassan, senior officials from the ministry and the WB were present at the meeting.