PM: Awami League truly devoted to Bangladesh’s development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her party, the Awami League, has always been sincerely dedicated to the development of Bangladesh and its people.

"We are beside you (countrymen), we will remain there and we will provide all kinds of assistance," the premier said while addressing a relief distribution event at Government Mozahar Uddin Biswas Degree College in Kalapara upazila organized by the district administration.

Mentioning that the overall development of the southern region has only been possible as the Awami League is in power, she said: "There were many people who came to the power, but they did not do any development activities in this region."

She added that protecting the living standards of the people is the main target of her government.

"Natural calamities will come. Our target is to maintain the living standards of the people facing those (disasters), and we are working for that."

This time the tidal waves were much higher compared to previous cyclones, she said, referring to Cyclone Remal.

The premier thanked people for taking shelter at the cyclone centres built by the government.

She said the government is doing whatever is needed to ensure the basic needs of the people.

Her government has been able to stand beside the people during such natural calamities as the country is witnessing continued democracy, she said.

"Socioeconomic development is taking place in the country as continued democracy is prevailing here," she added.

Earlier, the prime minister distributed relief materials among Cyclone Remal-affected people in the area.

Sheikh Hasina also undertook an aerial visit to the Mathbaria and Pathorghata areas to see for herself the trail of havoc caused by Cyclone Remal.

She witnessed the two Remal-affected areas from a helicopter hovering just above the ground moving at a slow speed on her way to Patuakhali from Dhaka.

The helicopter landed at a helipad adjoining Khepupara Govt Model Secondary School in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali at 12:20pm after around one and a half hours of flying from Dhaka.

She also visited the Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Bridge on the Patuakhali-Kuakata road.

The premier later exchanged views with divisional-level officials as well.

The Patuakhali district administration and the ruling Awami League had made all-out preparations for the premier's visit to Patuakhali.

Cyclone Remal reportedly killed at least 13 people, destroyed over 35,000 homes, and seriously affected more than 3.7 million people in 19 districts of the country. 

The storm made landfall near Khepupara of Patuakhali with wind speeds up to 130kmph on Sunday evening. 

Source: BSS