Vaccine by first month of 2021: Quader
There is much better chance of getting coronavirus vaccine in the first month of 2021, the minister said
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Friday hoped that the country would get coronavirus vaccine by the first month of 2021.
"There is much chance of getting coronavirus vaccine in the first month of 2021. But everybody should maintain health guidelines properly until the vaccine comes," he said while addressing a facemask distribution ceremony at the party president's Dhanmondi political office in the capital.
The minister joined the function virtually from his official residence on parliament premises. At the programme, under the initiatives of the AL's relief and social welfare affairs sub-committee, facemasks were handed over for distribution among the leaders and workers of AL's associate bodies.
Turning to Rohingya issue, he said Bangladesh gave shelter to around over 11 lakh Rohingya people on humanitarian grounds.
He said some of international community members are making criticism over the shifting of Rohingya people to Bhashan Char. But, Bangladesh is facing many challenges and problems, along with social, environmental and financial impacts due to the Rohingya population, so the government started shifting them to Bhashan Char.
Speaking about politics, Quader said BNP is out to hatch different anti-country conspiracy after being jealous of the country's unprecedented development under the leadership of AL government Sheikh Hasina.
"The country is witnessing remarkable progress under the Awami League government. But the opposition didn't extend any thanks to the government rather they criticized government efforts," he added.
Quader said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League won the hearts of people with honesty and development.
"Witnessing the development and progress, BNP becomes jealous," he said, adding AL never wants to make quarrel with anybody in a deliberate way but if anyone carries out attacks on the party, it could give a befitting reply.
About different local government polls, he said, leaders and workers must abide by the party's decision.
Defying the party's decision, if any rebel candidate wins or loses polls, he would not get party nomination in future, he added.
AL Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan, among others, were present on the occasion at Dhanmondi.