Staff- Correspondent:LGRD minister Mohammad Tajul Islam directs officials concerned to take effective measures in eradicating all kinds of mosquitoes, including Aedes, Culex and Anopheles.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister has issued the directives while attending the 8th Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Thursday (January 21) to review the activities of city corporations and other ministries / divisions / departments / agencies for dengue prevention across the country, including Dhaka metropolis.

The Local Government Minister said, "We have been able to control Aedes mosquitoes as a result of providing all kinds of assistance including effective medicine, manpower and equipment for mosquito control and concerted, rigorous initiatives of all including the mayors of Dhaka's two city corporations."

Although there is no Aedes mosquito outbreak now, other species of mosquitoes are reported to have increased. Therefore, the Minister directed the concerned people to take effective steps to free the people of the country from the menace of mosquitoes.

Noting that long-term use of the same pesticide has made mosquitoes tolerant of it, Tajul Islam called for the purchase of effective mosquito repellents as well as increased surveillance.

The minister said there are mosquitoes in different countries of the world including Singapore, Thailand and Japan. We are replicating the measures taken by the countries who have brought mosquito outbreaks under control. Destroying mosquito breeding grounds has been proved very successful. He also said that all predictions about the number of dengue cases and deaths in the country have proved to be false.

Praising the two mayors for initiating clean-up work since WASA handed over the responsibility of drainage management and canals to two city corporations and taking effective steps to eradicate mosquitoes, the minister said if city canals are kept clean, city dwellers will be benefitted as well as other species of Aedes mosquitoes will come under control.

Tajul Islam said in the interest of greater public good, one must work on one's own initiative without waiting for instructions. If everyone joins hands, no work will feel like a challenge and no goal will be unattainable. We will be able to reach our desired goal.

Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Talukder Abdul Khaleq, Mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, Mohammad Alam Alam, Secretary of Chittagong City Corporation were present at the online meeting conducted by Helaluddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary. Chief executive officers of all city corporations, including officials, also attended the meeting.