Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has turned down a proposal allowing the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) to visit France to study energy-efficient street lighting technology, but has approved the participation of the corporation’s executive engineer if required.
The decision came through an official directive issued in response to a proposal sent by the Local Government Division to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking approval for two RCC officials to travel to France under an international knowledge-sharing programme.
According to the directive, the Prime Minister stated that the purpose of the visit is technical in nature and therefore best suited for an engineering professional. He observed that since the RCC administrator is not an engineer, his participation would not add significant value to the programme.
“The knowledge gained from such visits should be acquired by technically qualified personnel,” the directive noted, adding that only the executive engineer (electrical) may be allowed to travel if necessary.
The Prime Minister also suggested that future initiatives of this kind should involve academic and technical institutions such as the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and other engineering universities to ensure more effective knowledge transfer and innovation.
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly confirmed the authenticity of the directive when contacted by reporters.
The proposal had been initiated following an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Ltd Under the plan, RCC Administrator Md Mahfujur Rahman and Executive Engineer ABM Asaduzzaman were expected to visit Signify France’s Outdoor Lighting Application Centre to learn about advanced energy-saving street lighting systems.
This decision comes shortly after a similar move in which a proposed visit by Chattogram City Corporation officials to the United States to study mosquito control methods was also rejected by the Prime Minister.
.jpg "PM may reshuffle ministers, appoint advisers: Zahed")
