Annisul Huq’s initiatives lose steam

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Shahed Shafiq
Published : 02:00, Dec 01, 2018 | Updated : 02:00, Dec 01, 2018

Annisul Huq. FILE PHOTOAlmost all initiatives instigated by late Annisul Huq, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, DNCC, has halted after his death. Annisul Huq died on 30 November, 2017.
He took oath as mayor in April, 2015 and notable work under his guidance included: eviction of illegal truck stands from Tejaon to Farmgate, declaration of parking free zone from Amin Bazaar to Shyamoli, women’s holiday market in Mohakhali, introduction of 4500 modern buses on the road, placement of LED lights on the roads etc.
But many projects have now either stalled or slowed down.
General secretary of the Bangladesh truck-covered van association, Md. Rustam Ali Khan, told Bangla Tribune, “Annisul Huq promised us a truck stand but that did not happen as he died.”
The scene of the parking free zone from Aminbazar to Shyamoli has also changed.
Eviction of illegal occupants, waste management and development are going on slowly and the acting mayor is not taking any risks.
Reportedly, the bills of many contractors are now stuck though in Huq’s time, bills were sent to the offices of the contractors.
He also forbade the roaming around of dubious contractors around the Nagar Bhaban, allowing only genuine contractors.
On 18 May 2017, he inaugurated women’s holiday market in Mohakhali.
While he pledged Tk.25 lakh loan without collateral for women entrepreneurs, it did not see the light of day. The market is now closed.
DNCC panel mayor, Sarwar Daisy said: “if any woman wants to open a shop then we will give her trade licence; unfortunately, the response is not encouraging.”
Annisul Huq’s Green Dhaka project is also lost. He used to make surprise visits to see garbage collections. As per reports, dumped rubbish is now seen at several spots.
He also took the step to introduce LED lights and while this has materialsied in south city, the project is stuck in the north.
Meanwhile, DNCC acting mayor, Jamal Mostafa, said, “We are working with the government to give material form to Annisul Huq’s initiatives.”
We miss him but it’s not true that without him the projects have stalled, he added.

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