Mayor-elect of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam has vowed to complete the unfinished tasks of his predecessor Annisul Huq.
“My first and foremost responsibility will be to go ahead with the plans he (Annisul) had taken. I want to complete his unfinished tasks,” Atiqul told Bangla Tribune hours after the Election Commission announced his landslide win in the DNCC by-polls on Friday (Mar 1).
Atiqul will take the helm of the DNCC till May 2020 succeeding former mayor Annisul, who died at a London hospital on Nov 30, 2017.
Businessman-turned politician Annisul, as the mayor of DNCC, took a number of initiatives to build Dhaka a ‘green city’ earning accolade from the city dwellers.
“I came from the same background like Annis via’s (brother),” recalled Atiqul, who is a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), before adding, he (Annisul) had proved businessman too can do well in politics.
Among many plans, former mayor Annisul spearheaded the city corporation’s drive to demolish illegal structures of Dhaka city.
“I wish for the same, I want to prove by following his paths,” vowed Atiqul.
Annisul, who is a former president Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, drove out the hawkers to clear the city walkways during his mayor term.
One of Annisul's notable initiatives that earned him nationwide praise was to successfully clear Satrasta area of the city's Tejgaon from truck parking. However, much of his works are left unfinished since his death.

The mayor-elect, however, said otherwise as he is determined to continue the pace of work which his predecessor started. Atiqul said he would “try in which style” Annisul carried out his duties.
Speaking on his priority works, the mayor-elect said, “It will be my responsibility to solve waterlogging woes in Dhaka city, and clear walkways for pedestrian’s movement.”
Atiqul puts emphasis on bringing the city services under digital management.
“Mobile apps will be launched,” he said adding, so that dwellers can immediately inform the city authorities of any kind of problems including broken lids of manholes, damaged roadside lights, garbage heap on streets and road digging.
“If city officials don’t perform their duties the mayor will be informed automatically,” said Atiqul.
Meanwhile, the mayor-elect called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence in the evening where the PM congratulated the businessman on being elected as the mayor.
Atiqul will brief the media on his victory at Bangladesh Club in the city’s Uttara at 12pm on Saturday (Mar 2).