Mymensingh: State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Choudhury today affirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its election promises by ensuring transparency and quality in development initiatives. “Although many projects were undertaken in the past in the name of development, in many cases the work remained incomplete. We are committed to completing projects with quality and ensuring a corruption-free process,” he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister made these remarks during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Mymensingh Divisional Information Complex at Shikarikanda Chhatrapur area near the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. The government has planned to establish 64 information complexes across the country’s districts, with construction already underway in 26 districts, including divisional cities.
“This is my first inauguration programme. Within the next few weeks, construction of four more buildings will be inaugurated. Subject to necessary approvals, initiatives will also be taken to build information complexes at the upazila level in phases,” Choudhury added. He urged the contractor to maintain quality standards and complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Addressing media representatives, the state minister emphasized the government’s belief in press freedom while cautioning journalists to prevent the dissemination of misinformation. “While ensuring the free flow of information, it must also be ensured that false or fabricated information does not turn into news,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AKM Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, and other dignitaries, with Department of Mass Communication Director General Md Abdul Jalil presiding over the event.
Project sources revealed that a contract has been signed for the construction of the seven-storey divisional information complex at a cost of approximately Tk 19.30 crore, with an expected completion time of 18 months. The complex will feature a modern cineplex, internet and cyber caf©, digital archive, and other ICT facilities, serving as a modern information hub and contributing to cultural and film industry development.
Speakers at the event highlighted the complex’s role in disseminating national history, heritage, and the legacy of various movements to the public. The project aligns with the government’s election manifesto, emphasizing the ICT sector to provide services for citizens, students, freelancers, and businesspeople, while also creating technology-based employment opportunities.
Project officials indicated that the ICT facilities would assist in identifying rumors and fake news through fact-checking tools, ensuring the dissemination of reliable information. The complex will also function as an information exchange hub among government and private media, local press clubs, and community radio, thus contributing to public empowerment.