DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings and other establishments following “building codes”.

She came up with the directions while addressing a three-day international seminar on vocational education titled ‘Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Sustainable Development’ at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in city.

The Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC) of Manila and Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) jointly organized the seminar.

Sheikh Hasina said, “Cracks appeared on many buildings as earthquake hit in such a low a magnitude. I hope our engineers look into the matter.”

She also expected that the future buildings and establishments will be built by following the building codes properly.

Addressing the field-level engineers to ensure the quality of works, the premier said some 85 percent development works including roads, bridges, culverts, educational institutions, houses and factories in the country are being implemented by them.

She also directed the individuals concerned to ensure urbanisation and development by protecting agricultural land.

She also advised to design master plans up to the upazila-level.

Sheikh Hasina also expected to decrease the rate of poor people by 10 percent in the next three years and eight months tenure of incumbent government.

With IDEB president AKM Hamid in the chair, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, co-chair of the seminar Mohammad Nayeem Yakub and IDEB general secretary Shamsur Rahman addressed the seminar.

BDST: 1933 HRS, APR 30, 2015
SR/RR/SMS