PM orders removal of billboards displaying congratulatory messages

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the immediate removal of all digital billboards, banners and advertisements displaying congratulatory messages for him on various roads in the capital.

He issued this strict directive to concerned authorities on Tuesday, March 3. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon confirmed the information.

He said that while leaving his Gulshan residence this morning, the prime minister noticed a banner bearing his image near the Hatirjheel adjacent Police Plaza and expressed instant displeasure, ordering its immediate removal, which was promptly carried out.

The prime minister made it clear that no company or individual should use his image on billboards to offer congratulations. A few days ago, while passing through Bijoy Sarani area, he noticed congratulatory messages displayed on an LED screen and ordered them to be taken down immediately.

He is discouraging the tendency to focus on personal flattery rather than promoting government work. It is noteworthy that the prime minister arrived at his office in the Secretariat at 9:10 am today to begin the day's work, where Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque paid him a courtesy call.

During the meeting, the prime minister urged strengthening security measures in coastal areas and the Bay of Bengal. He specifically ordered increased regular patrols to prevent piracy, human trafficking and illegal smuggling.

Additionally, the Coast Guard has been advised to become more active in protecting the country's fisheries resources and ensuring the overall safety of fishermen. Discussions were also held on increasing the use of modern technology to prevent any kind of instability in the country's maritime boundaries, the additional press secretary said.

Meanwhile, positive statistics regarding the capital's traffic congestion situation were presented to the prime minister today. The report stated that as the prime minister and other important state figures follow regular traffic signals instead of using VIP protocols or closing roads, vehicle speed has increased.

Statistics from the past 14 days show that the average speed in the capital, previously 4.5 kilometres per hour, has now increased to 5.3 kilometres per hour. With the prime minister himself setting an example by stopping at traffic signals, the president and ministers are now following the same rule, and ordinary citizens are beginning to benefit from it.