Khulna: President M Abdul Hamid on Wednesday asked navy personnel to keep themselves ready to ensure security of marine resources and maritime boundary of the country.

‘Be always ready to ensure sovereignty of maritime boundary, security of ships’ movement on different routes and prevent smugglers and pirates,’ he said while speaking at a commissioning function of four warships at Titumir Naval Base Jetty of Khalishpur here, reports the BSS.

Laying stress on performing duties with utmost sincerity and honesty, the President also asked the members of naval force to continue their all-out efforts to uphold country’s image all over the globe.

The entire world is now keeping vigilance on marine resources as the limited land resources are used frequently everywhere, he said, adding, ‘Bangladesh has a huge sea area which is enriched with marine resources and there is no alternative to use the potential in the development of the nation.’

He said, ‘Bangladesh has a 710-kilometre coastal area and about three crore people of this area are directly and indirectly dependent on marine resources for their livelihood.’

It is essential to ensure security in marine areas for economic development of the country since over 90 percent of trade with foreign countries is conducted on sea routes, Hamid said.

Abdul Hamid, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, said with a view to opening a new era in country’s defence mechanism, the incumbent government has included a significant number of warships, maritime helicopters and patrol aircrafts in the fleet of Bangladesh Navy.

Referring to the vision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make Bangladesh Navy a three-dimensional force, the President said the current government has already taken short and long-term plan to materlize the dream by 2030.

Noting the ship-building capacity of Bangladesh, the President hoped that different domestic shipyards including, Khulna shipyard, would play a significant role in the socio-economic development by exporting vessels in the coming days.

At the outset of the speech, he paid a rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu and freedom fighters specially the navy members who made their supreme sacrifices during the Liberation War in 1971.

During the ceremony, the President handed over the four warships—Nishan, Durgam, Halda and Pashur - to Bangladesh Navy.

Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Narayon Chandra Chanda, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, chief of naval staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, some parliament members and secretaries concerned to the president, senior military and civil officials were present on the occasion.