Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed authorities to immediately remove advertisements and banners in Dhaka carrying congratulatory messages alongside his photograph.
The instruction was issued in the morning, his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said. On his way to the Secretariat, the Prime Minister noticed a banner bearing his image in front of Police Plaza at Hatirjheel and ordered its removal, which was carried out promptly.
He also instructed officials to swiftly remove all billboards and advertisements across the capital displaying similar congratulatory messages with his picture. A few days earlier, while travelling along Bijoy Sarani, he ordered the removal of an LED screen carrying a congratulatory message, Rumon added.
The Prime Minister reached his office at the Secretariat around 9:10am and later held a meeting with Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haque. During the meeting, he instructed authorities to intensify patrolling in coastal areas and the Bay of Bengal to prevent piracy, robbery and illegal trade, and to safeguard fisheries and fishermen.
Rumon said a report submitted to the Prime Minister showed that vehicle movement speed in the capital has improved as more motorists - including top officials - are following traffic signals without taking advantage of VIP protocol. According to the report, the average speed on Dhaka roads previously stood at 4.5 kilometres per hour, roughly equivalent to walking pace.
Over the past 14 days, it has increased to 5.3 km/h as the President, ministers and other state officials adhere more strictly to traffic rules.
Since assuming office, the Prime Minister has reduced the use of VIP protocol and begun observing traffic signals himself, the press secretary said.
After learning about a rise in coarse rice prices, a staple for low-income groups, the Prime Minister on Monday directed relevant ministries and agencies to take immediate measures. Rumon said the market had already begun to show positive signs following the intervention.
