The government, non-government and foreign aid agencies are working more to improve the solid waste management in capital Dhaka and other metropolitan cities, experts said. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Tajul Islam informed that waste management is being modernised without destroying the environment.
He said this during an information sharing meeting of 12 City Corporations at the CIRDAP auditorium about the solid waste management information. Minister Tajul Islam said, “Japan is our friend state with technology and experience. We all know they are very good. Bangladesh is moving forward in the economy. The per capita income in 2009 was US $500, which is now $2000. We are working for the people and accelerating the economy. We're getting modern. On the other hand, we are modernizing waste management without harming the environment. That's why this discussion with JICA has been held.”
The Minister said, “To make changes in waste management we must be aware of ourselves first. Only a government or a political party can never change anything. That is why we have to change ourselves first. For this, everyone has to work from his own place. Only then we can make changes to waste management quickly.”
Tajul Islam added, “The polythene products and the chips product are the petroleum product. European countries have been successful in refining these in advanced waste management. For this reason, I would like to thank the JICA’s Master Plan that has provided the waste management of 12 city corporations and two municipalities from 2018 to 2032. We are closely monitoring the issues. But at the end of the day, where our success lies is in our waste management. But we have to do this very carefully. Already we have visited many countries to learn about waste management. As a result, we have many experiences. Lastly, our goal is not to harm the environment.”
Helal Uddin Ahmed, senior secretary of the ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD), JICA leader Yuriko Kudo and Mitomori Koji, Senior Representative of JICA’s Bangladeshi office were present in the meeting.
