Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today commissioned a full-fledged naval base here to be called ‘BNS Sheikh Mujib’ with officials saying the installation was crucial to cater the operational needs of the force in the capital.
The navy base, first after the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was set up in Khilkhet area, BSS reported.
Naval officials said the base was set up with a particular objective to coordinate disaster response services alongside running their naval information technology programmes and naval intelligence training.
Navy helicopters would be stationed as well in the newly floated base, they said.
PM’s security advisor Major Gen. (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Bangladesh Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and senior military and civil officials were present.
Commanding officer of the BNS Sheikh Mujib Moinuddin Mallik received the ‘Commission Farman’ from the prime minister.
On her arrival at the new naval base, the prime minister was given a state salute while national anthem was played.
On the occasion, the prime minister inaugurated 22 high rise buildings in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna and laid the foundation stone of BN township at Savar through video conferencing and talked to commanders of the naval areas, navy officers and their spouses.
She also unveiled a book ‘Bangladesh Navy in the 21st Century’ which has chronicles of Bangladesh Navy and stages of its historical transformations and contributions towards the nation.
The BN township will be constructed at Savar by a Chinese construction firm. The Township will have ten 27-storied and twelve 26-storied residential buildings with modern facilities in addition to educational institutions, hospitals, ladies club, shopping mall and car parking facilities.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony of the BNS Sheikh Mujib, the prime minister highlighted the steps taken by her government to build up a three- dimensional force.
Bangladesh Navy would be made more stronger if her party comes to power again, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has been making relentless stride for building a prosperous nation. At the same time, the government is trying its level best to develop the three services which are symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman saw a dream of developed Bangladesh and had build an armed forces befitting to an independent country. So, Bangabandhu formulated defense policy, she said.
Despite severe economic crisis, she said Bangabandhu rose up the Bangladesh Navy after independence and commissioned BNS Isha Khan.
Bangabandhu also formulated the Territorial Water and Maritime Zone Act in 1974 which the UN formulated in 1982, she continued.
Sheikh Hasina said her government procured most sophisticated frigate for Bangladesh Navy after coming to power in 1996 along with other steps for modernisation of the naval force. But the modernisation process witnessed setback after changeover of the government in 2001.
Over the last nine years Bangladesh Navy has emerged as an international standard three-dimensional force, the prime minister said, adding the BNS Sheikh Mujib will play important role in disaster management and public welfare along with regular operational activities.