Exclusive interview of AL's DNCC mayor candidate Atiqul

Awami League's mayor candidate Atiqul Islam has hoped that the city dwellers will evaluate his last nine months' relentless works to elect him again in the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation polls.

Atiqul Islam has bagged Awami League's ticket to contest for mayor post in DNCC elections for the second times. 

Earlier on February 28, 2019, he became the mayor of the city corporation through by-election and performed duties last nine months. 

In an exclusive interview with Jago News, businessman-turned-politician Atiqul Islam talked about his works to solve the city dwellers' problems during his term, his failure in doing so, about his plan if he is elected again, and experience of last tenure, as well as his expectation in the upcoming election.

Jago News: You have performed duties as Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor for nine months. During the period, what the services citizens have received from you?

Atiqul Islam: I did not spend a day without works giving utmost importance on citizen service. After taking charge, I faced several challenges and overcame these together with all.

The challenges include university student Abrar's death in Pragati Sarani road accident, student movement following this, fire at FR Tower, fire incident in Gulshan, and outbreak of mosquito-borne disease Dengue.

The challenges came one after another during my nine-month tenure. But I did not stopped my job suddenly, rather continued. 

Jago News: Last year witnessed deadly dengue outbreak. Common people were not satisfied with city corporations' role to control the disease......

Atiqul Islam: City corporations spray medicine in traditional method, and it is not monitored well. We have to reshape the system to kill mosquito and destroy the places where mosquito grow. 

There is no any Entomologist in our city corporation and this is the negative side. It is needed to appoint Entomologists.

We have to work to eradicate Aedes mosquito round the year under integrated vector management (IVM).

City corporations alone cannot tackle dengue but people should be aware and come forward.

Jago News: There are various allegations on waste management. Do you have any plan on waste management system if you become mayor again?

Atiqul Islam: We have to launch cleaning road through sweeping system in which dirt is cleaned and dust sucked.

We have brought machines for secondary roads, tertiary roads and primary roads. In this regard, we think we were successful. 

Such 12 more machines will be added in Dhaka North City Corporation by next June. 

Our garbage landfill at Aminbazar is unhealthy. Now we want such a landfill where waste would be segregated. 

Next days we will try to turn waste into resources such as power generation. Eco Parks and different industries will also be established there to utilize the waste. 

Jago News: Were you successful last nine months?

Atiqul Islam: I have gathered experience last nine months and want to utilize so in coming days. 

I have declared war against corruption in DNCC, and want to bring it under accountability.

I want to make a safe, modern and smart Dhaka where around 42,000 LED lights would be installed along with CC TV Camera in different spots. I have a plan to recast transport system in the city.

I hope citizens will evaluate my works though it is not possible to show full effect in works in just nine months. 

Jago News: Is there any progress to restore the playgrounds and parks in city?

Atiqul Islam: Works of 17 parks out of 24 has started through tender. The parks will feature multi-purpose facilities. Adults can stay there, children play and their mothers spend time. Underprivileged can also play there. 

Measures were taken so that working people can play and walk there at night. There will also be light and CC TV cameras.  

Jago News: New wards of City Corporation are lagging behind. Did you take any step for the newly added areas?

Atiqul Islam: We have taken initiatives to locate bazaar, park, and school and so on in the new wards. We want to turn the areas into modern ones.  

Jago News: Gridlock on road causes great suffering to people. The footpaths are also under illegal occupation. Did you take any step during your tenure.....

Atiqul Islam: I have started works in this regard with my plan to make footpaths hassle-free for the pedestrians.

But different kinds of hawkers sell products on the footpaths. They are also integrated part of the people. So we have planned to fix places for hawkers and city corporation will provide them card.  

Jago News: City dwellers suffer much due to erratic digging roads throughout the year. What kinds of initiative city corporation should take, you think?

Atiqul Islam: City Corporation needs major coordination with WASA or DESA or other concerned to avoid frequent road digging. 

Jago News: How you optimistic about the upcoming election? Why citizens will choose you?

Atiqul Islam: Citizens witnessed my continuous works last month. They obviously will evaluate these, I think so. 

The last nine months were test period for me, and I gained experience from it. If the people vote for me and I become elected, I will move forward with the experiences.