DHAKA, Feb 13, 2024 (BSS) - The 29th anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and 'Bangladesh Coast Guard Day-2024' will be observed in the country tomorrow in a befitting manner.

Marking the day, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending greetings to all members of the coast guard.

The President and the Prime Minister hoped that the members of the Coast Guard would work with sincerity and honesty to ensure foolproof security of the country's maritime and coastal regions.

Both the president and the Prime Minister also lauded the role of the members of the coast guard in maintaining security of the country's waterways and resisting smuggling and human trafficking.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin hoped that the members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, inspired by the spirit of the Great War of Liberation, will contribute effectively to the formation of 'Sonar Bangla', the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by performing their duties with honesty, devotion and professionalism.

It has been possible to bring down the rate of piracy in Chattogram Port to almost zero due to continuous operation of coast guard in the outer anchorage of the port, he said, adding that the coast guard has also been playing an important role in protecting the national resource hilsa fish and curbing drug smuggling.

The head of the state said the incumbent government has taken massive steps to modernize the Coast Guard force by 2030.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the coast guard has been playing an important role in expediting the activities related to the Blue Economy along with protecting the security in the country's vast coastal region.

She said the coast guard started working when Awami League (AL) came to power in 1996 as the government built necessary infrastructures and other supports to the force.

After forming the government with massive public support in the 2008 elections, the AL-led government focused on improving the capacities of Bangladesh Coast Guard including increasing its manpower, strengthening the force, building training bases, procuring/constructing of sea-going vessels and constructing/enhancing of infrastructures.

The Prime Minister hoped that the coast guard would perform their duties with patriotism, sincerity and courage and contribute to implement Bangabandhu's 'Sonar Bangla' cum Smart Bangladesh through 'Vision 2041', Blue Economy and Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100.

The president and the premier wished all programmes of the day a success.