Minister calls for state reform amid fuel crisis
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today said the present government wants to restructure the state framework to resolve the ongoing crisis.
"If the state and political system are not reformed, people cannot be freed from the ongoing crisis," he said, adding that the current fuel crisis in the country is the responsibility of the previous autocratic government.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a vaccination drive at Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex in Barishal.
The minister added that although the country had sufficient gas, the previous government, in the interest of certain businesses, did not undertake any gas extraction programs and established a system dependent on fuel imports.
"If the country had maintained its own gas production capacity, it would not have faced problems arising from the Strait of Hormuz today," he opined.
Mentioning that BNP was not solely concerned with power, he said the current administration intends to use power for public service. The weaknesses of the previous state structure were exposed earlier to the nation, and the BNP government pledged to reform it.
Responding to questions from the reporters, Swapon said they have received allegations regarding healthcare services at all hospitals in Barishal, including Sher-E-Bangla Medical College.
"We're working on how to ensure proper healthcare services in rural areas," he said.
Barishal Divisional Health Director Dr Shyamal Krishna Mondal, Barishal Deputy Commissioner Md. Khairul Alam Shumon, Civil Surgeon
Dr. S M Manzur-Ea-Ealahi, Superintendent of Police A. Z. M Mustafizur Rahman and other officials attended the vaccination inauguration.
Later, the minister held a meeting with officials at Agailjhara Upazila Parishad.
He subsequently visited Madhabpasha Durga Sagar Dighi in Babuganj Upazila, Barishal.
