Dam Dispute Draws Directive: Adviser Orders Urgent Repair of Sunamganj Rubber Dam
Lieutenant General (Retd.) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Agriculture and Home Affairs Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh, issued a stern rebuke to a Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) official over the faulty condition of a rubber dam in Sunamganj’s Gojaria area. The adviser took immediate action after hearing farmers’ complaints during a visit to Dekhar Haor on Thursday (April 10).
While addressing a program jointly organized by the District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Gobindapur, Sunamganj Sadar, the adviser phoned the Executive Engineer of LGED’s Sunamganj office, Md. Anwar Hossain, who was not present at the event. Expressing frustration, the adviser said, “You didn’t follow up. How long will it take to complete the Gojaria rubber dam work? Listen, you’ll repair the dam within seven days. Otherwise, I’ll personally make sure you’re ‘repaired’.”
He further chastised the engineer, stating, “You pocket the money, fill your pockets, and don’t do any work! Come to Dekhar Haor immediately. Finish it in seven days, or else—you understand what I mean.”
The remarks came after a symbolic harvest of Boro paddy using a combine harvester, marking the start of the harvesting season in the haor. During the event, several farmers from Bhadertek in Bishwambharpur Upazila raised concerns about the yet-to-be-repaired Gojaria Rubber Dam, which prompted the adviser to seek answers from LGED.
The adviser also summoned Md. Mamun Hawlader, Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Sunamganj, and inquired about progress on crop protection embankments. He directed that the dam and embankment works be completed without delay, warning that responsible officials would be held accountable for any further disruptions.
The program was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-Ul-Nabi, Additional Secretary (Extension) of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Zakir Hossain, DAE Director General Saiful Islam, Sylhet Range Additional Inspector General of Police Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Md. Elias Mia, Superintendent of Police Md. Tofael Ahmed, and Sylhet Regional Additional Director of DAE Bimal Chandra Som.
Speaking at the event, Adviser Jahangir said, “Agriculture and farmers are the backbone of the nation. They must always be thanked. Fair prices for paddy will be ensured. The government will purchase paddy, and if there’s any syndicate involved in the process, we’ll straighten it out.”
