Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday opened four newly-completed development projects, including the installation of solar panels in CHT’s remote areas and national data centre in Kaliakair and commissioning of five ships and one survey vessel for the Kaptai Lake.

She launched the development projects through videoconferencing from her official residence Ganobhaban.

Opening the development schemes, the Prime Minister said the development journey of Bangladesh will continue. “Our progress will continue.”

Under the Power Supply through Installation of Solar Panels in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Remote Areas Project, some 10,890 families of 1,927 villages in 26 upazilas of the three hill districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban -- came under the electricity coverage at.

The project was implemented in the villages as it will not be possible to supply electricity there from the national grid for the next 20-25 years, said CHT Affairs Secretary Md Mesbahul Islam in his presentation.

Opening the solar power system, the Prime Minister said instability had started in the CHT area following the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, but her government restored peace through signing the CHT Peace Accord 1997.

She said her government started massive development activities in the CHT areas and installation of power panels in the remote areas where it would not be possible to provide electricity connection from the national grid. “No house and market will remain in the dark,” Hasina said.

The Prime Minister commissioned the ‘CVASU Research Vessel’ made at the initiative of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU) to conduct study over fish and other species in the Kaptai Lake in Rangamati.

Senior Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division Md Sohorab Hossain made a presentation over the research vessel which will help increase fish production by finding out fish sanctuaries and protecting their breeding spots in the large lake.

The Prime Minister also commissioned five ships – MV Banglar Samriddhi, MV Banglar Arjan, MV Banglar Agragati, MV Banglar Agrajatra and MV Banglar Agradut built by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.

Shipping Secretary Md Abdus Samad made a presentation over the five newly-built ships.

About the shipbuilding, the Prime Minister said a shipyard will be constructed in the southern region – may be Barguna-- of the country.

Noting that shipbuilding industry has developed in the private sector as well, Hasina said the government is promoting private entrepreneurs in the industry.

She also digitally opened the four-tier data centre, the world’s seven largest data centre, at Bangabandhu Hi-Tec City, Kaliakair in Gazipur.

ICT Division Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam made a presentation on the data centre.

The Prime Minister exchanged views with beneficiaries and stakeholders of the projects through the videoconference.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, CHT Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing and State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak were on the dais. PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function.