Ctg mayor backtracks on US trip comment, says he respects govt decision

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Shahadat Hossain has denied making remarks regarding the rejection of a proposed US visit, a day after a Facebook post from his personal account alleged that vested interests had misled Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and contributed to the decision.

The clarification came in a statement issued last night (2 June), hours after a post on the mayor's verified Facebook account claimed that an "interest group" had provided "wrong, false and misleading information" to the prime minister, resulting in the rejection of the visit.

In the statement, Shahadat said the comments being circulated in various media outlets and on social media regarding the US visit were not his statements. He said he had not spoken to any journalist on the matter and had not given any reaction to anyone.

He also said he accepted the government's decision regarding the proposed visit with full respect and satisfaction.

According to the Facebook post published earlier in the day, the biological mosquito larva control technology of US-based Valent BioSciences LLC had been used successfully in Chattogram, creating the possibility of establishing a joint-venture manufacturing facility in Bangladesh.

The post said the organisation had invited a delegation led by the mayor to visit the United States to assess the project's feasibility and had agreed to bear all related expenses.

It further claimed that, after preparations for the visit had been completed, an interest group misled Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with incorrect information, creating uncertainty over what was described as an important initiative.

The post triggered widespread discussion on social media, particularly as the Prime Minister's Office had recently declined to approve the proposed US visit by the mayor and several CCC officials.

However, in his later statement, Shahadat adopted a different position, saying discussions about the visit had taken place solely out of interest in learning about modern mosquito control technology and improving public health protection.

He said Chattogram City Corporation remained respectful of government policies and administrative decisions.

The mayor also said that, alongside modern technology, civic awareness, cleanliness and public participation were the most effective ways to control dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. He called on all residents to work together to build a healthy and liveable city.

The contrasting positions taken during the same day have fuelled discussion, with attention focused on the allegations made in the earlier Facebook post and the mayor's subsequent denial of the remarks and acceptance of the government's decision.