Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has announced that Premier University will be managed under the control of the Chattogram City Corporation through legal process.
At the same time, he also said that a legal framework will be developed so that no one can reoccupy the Premier University in the future.
On Tuesday (December 10), at a press conference on the Chattogram Premier University at the CCC office in Tiger Pass, Mayor Dr. Shahadat informed journalists about the ownership of the university, administrative complications and the future of the students.
The mayor said that Premier University was established with the money of the Chattogram City Corporation. In 2003, the land of the university was purchased with Tk. 47 crore from the CCC's own funds. The university was later dispossessed.
'Due to the ongoing unrest in the university, students are being deprived of institutional facilities. We want to ensure that this crisis is resolved quickly and students can continue their studies in a normal environment. The CCC is planning to form a professional board of directors, where skilled and experienced people will be appointed. We are committed to running the Premier University in a disciplined and transparent manner again.
The mayor said, no university can be mortgaged to any dynasty or any mafia group. Inshallah, we are trying to fulfill our duties with utmost honesty and devotion. I have told our law officer that such rules will be made in the Premier University so that no mayor or influential person can later claim it as his own property. I am making this commitment to you sitting here today.
'We have to be patient. If we can do the work according to our rules, then today thousands of parents and students who are looking at us very pitifully, wondering what will happen to this university now. I hope that it will be a beautiful success and this university will run successfully with a good reputation. However, I say again that we all have to unite against the mafia group. Journalists, countrymen, and Chattogram residents must keep a vigilant eye on this matter so that another mafia group does not enter there.'
The mayor announced that other properties seized by the Chattogram City Corporation will be restored in phases.
At the meeting, Chattogram City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam said, 'Premier University was established under the supervision and funding of the Chattogram City Corporation. Former Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury filed a writ petition in the High Court. As per the High Court's instructions, there was an opportunity to file an application in the civil court on the ownership issue, but it was never done. For this reason, the City Corporation's rights regarding the ownership of Premier University were never challenged. However, a special party was involved in trying to seize it, which we consider as mischief.'
He also said that after August 5, the City Corporation took initiatives to restore the university. We have sent letters to the government and the Ministry of Education and sought the help of the UGC. The Honorable Mayor of Chattogram, who is the father of the city and the elected representative of the city, has instructed us to take immediate action. We hope that we will be able to manage the Premier University by completing the legal process within the next one to two weeks. However, since the situation has become complicated, the City Corporation is currently intervening to remove the unrest and maintain law and order. Our main objective is to alleviate the concerns of the students and keep the educational activities normal.'
Mayor's initiatives for development projects and public convenience in Chattogram At the press conference, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain outlined his future plans with various new initiatives and plans for the development of Chittagong.
Regarding the Jamboree ground, the Mayor said, 'Lack of ground is a big problem of the city. Arrangements will be made so that the general public can use the Jamboree ground for playing. We are planning to make the ground completely suitable for playing and there will be no community hall there. It will be an open playground.'
Regarding Ashkar Dighi, the mayor said, "There is a plan to protect the dighi and create a walking area for the local people. We will remove the illegal encroachers around it and build a walkway there. All kinds of measures will be taken to protect the environment of the dighi and use it for public welfare. We want to present our correct history to the new generation through Swadhinata Park. Correct information and history of the Liberation War will be preserved here and in Biplob Udyan. It will not only be a park, it will be an educational place."
Regarding Shaheed Wasim Akram Park in Ambagan, the mayor said, "Shaheed Wasim Akram Park is one of the hill areas of Chattogram. Along with preserving the hill area, a beautiful park will be created here. It is not only an entertainment center, it is also important for the environment. We have started the work of developing the traffic system and building zebra crossings in different areas of Chattogram. This will ensure safety on the roads. We are taking action against illegal encroachers. Those who have occupied important land and dighi in the city will be removed. All the places will be restored for development work."
Expressing gratitude to the journalists, the mayor said, "You are by our side." We will be able to move forward the work more quickly and successfully. Please support this development effort with a positive outlook.' He expressed hope that the initiatives taken by the Chattogram City Corporation for the development of the city and protection of the environment will have a positive impact on the city residents.
Also present at the meeting were Chittagong City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, Secretary Md. Ashraful Amin, Law Officer Mohiuddin Murad, and Personal Assistant to the Mayor Maruful Haque Chowdhury (Maruf).