Coastguards to be stronger

GBNEWS24DESK//

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government has adopted a plan to increase the number of ships, equipment and workforce for coastguards as per the Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 modernisation plans for ensuring blue economy and security at sea.

Procurement of nine replacement vessels and two helicopters for deep sea patrols has been approved, she said.

The prime minister was speaking at the 28th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Medal Giving Ceremony, held at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

She said advanced-technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hover-crafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon.

Hasina mentioned that an initiative has also been taken to establish a digital connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to bring about a revolutionary change in the communication system of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the deep sea.

The PM mentioned that training capacity of the coastguard’s workforce was also enhanced by setting up its own training base in Patuakhali, named BCG Base Agrajatra.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the newly constructed Laxmipur Coast Guard Station through unveiling its plaque virtually from the coastguard headquarters end. At the programme, she also handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal, President Coast Guard Medal, Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Sheba and President Coast Guard Medal Sheba among selected members of the Coast Guard, including its director general Rear Admiral Ashraful Haque Chowdhury.