Govt turning Coast Guard into modern force: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is making Bangladesh Coast Guard as a modern and up-to-date force to enable it to carry out more new responsibilities in the future.

"Our government is working tirelessly to build the capacity of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) through its own manpower recruitment activities and force restructuring," she said.

The premier said this while addressing the ceremony of 27th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard Day-2022 at the Coast Guard Headquarters in the capital's Sher-e-Banglanagar.

She joined the function virtually from her official Ganobhaban residence.

She said the high-tech ships, hovercrafts and high-speed boats will soon be added to the force to modernize and strengthen the Coast Guard.

Moreover, initiatives are being taken to establish a digital connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-I to bring a groundbreaking change in the communication system of the force in the deep sea, she added.

"Coast Guard will be able to meet the challenges of the 21st century with the incorporation of these modern technology-enriched ships and developed communication systems," she hoped.

Sheikh Hasina said the role of Coast Guard is increasing for maintaining the overall law and order situation in the vast coastal areas and marine waters, protecting fisheries, ensuring security of the country's seaports, anti-smuggling and anti-drug operations, as well as protecting life and property of coastal people during natural disasters.

Mentioning that Awami League (AL) government has always been directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard, she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.

Assuming power in 1996, she said, AL government took a massive initiative in expanding Coast Guard's activities in the country's coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of vessels and building infrastructure.

Following this, she added, since 2009 various infrastructures including coastal crisis management centre, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases, officers' mess, sailors' quarters and administrative buildings have been constructed at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country.

She also assured them (Coast Guard personnel) that her government would
extend all necessary assistance for their welfare.

Recalling the initiative of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu framed "the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zone Act" in 1974 to establish the legal rights of countrymen
over the sea and marine resources.

Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia to pass such a law, she added.

Mentioning that even United Nations (UN) formulated such law in 1982, she said until adoption of the law by the UN, the cases, not only in the region but also in Europe and other places across the globe, would have been settled down following the law enacted by Bangabandhu.

At the ceremony, on behalf of the prime minister, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, MP handed over medals to four Coast Guard personnel for their bravery and special achievements.  

A short video documentary on Coast Guard's activities was screened.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state salute to the premier.