Ignoring health directives may worsen coronavirus crisis: Quader

Indifference towards health directives may further worsen the country's coronavirus crisis, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Obaidul Quader said on Thursday. 

There have been allegations that some public vehicles are overcharging passengers and not following the health directives issued to contain the spread of Covid-19, he said during a videoconference with the Roads and Highways Department officials from his residence. 

The minister also warned of stern action against violators of the directives. 

Quader called upon political parties, including the BNP, to play a responsible role towards the people without turning criticism of the government into a daily routine.

Terming coronavirus as a common enemy, he said a united effort is the key to fight against the deadly virus.

In the video conference, he directed the officials and engineers of the Department of Roads and Highways to ensure maximum utilisation of public money with honesty and sincerity while maintaining quality in road construction and renovation.

In his speech, the minister directed those concerned to complete the ongoing road repair work before the onset of monsoon as well as to pay the salaries of the workers working on various projects on time.

Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department Nazrul Islam, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Kazi Shahriar Hossain and other senior officials and project directors also participated in the videoconference.