Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping, has stated that it is not possible to rectify seventeen years of mismanagement, disorder, and chaos within just fifteen months. He urged the public to be patient as the administration works towards resolving the prevailing issues. According to him, the state machinery had been severely disrupted and abandoned, making the process of recovery time-consuming. Efforts are being made to improve law and order in the country.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday afternoon after inspecting the lighthouse operations of the EGIMNS project in Nijhum Dwip, an isolated island under Hatiya upazila in Noakhali, he elaborated on the challenges faced by the administration.

Addressing concerns over rising commodity prices ahead of the upcoming Ramadan, Advisor Sakhawat emphasized that strict measures were in place to dismantle the price-fixing syndicate. He called on the public to cooperate with the administration in tackling the issue and assured that authorities had been directed to break the syndicate’s hold on the market.

Regarding the Noakhali ferry service, he pointed out that the route from Chairman Ghat to Nalchira Ghat would not be suitable for ferry operations during June and July due to safety concerns. The risk of accidents was high, and necessary precautions were being taken. He further informed that new ferries were under construction to ensure safer and more reliable transportation in the region.

Later, he engaged in discussions with local residents of Nijhum Dwip, who shared various concerns regarding their community. Acknowledging the island’s potential in boosting tourism, the advisor assured that measures would be taken to promote it as a major tourist destination.

The event was attended by Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Istiaq Ahmed, Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Farooq, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Shamim, representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Hatiya, and local BNP leaders, along with other relevant officials.