Barguna Sadar Correspondent

A view-exchange meeting was held in Barguna to mark the district's first-ever Watercraft Census-2026, held under the slogan "Make the Watercraft Census Successful, Build a Prosperous Bangladesh recently.

The meeting, organized by the Barguna District Office of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), took place at the Payra Conference Room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

Barguna Deputy Commissioner Taslima Akhter presided over the event. In her presidential address, she stated that a national-level watercraft census is being conducted for the first time in the country's history. Cooperation from all relevant departments, public representatives, watercraft owners, and citizens is crucial, she noted, adding that accurate data helps portray the country's true picture and aids in formulating future development plans. She also highlighted that the census will help identify the risks, challenges, and realities faced by fishermen and boat workers, enabling effective welfare and development initiatives.

Barguna District Council Administrator and District BNP Convener Mohammad Nazrul Islam Molla attended the meeting as the chief guest. Additional Superintendent of Police Ruhul Amin Howlader and Additional District Commissioner (General) Animesh Biswas were present as special guests.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Md. Hafizur Rahman, Deputy Director of the BBS Barguna District Office, who detailed the objectives, operational procedures, and significance of the census.

Additional remarks were delivered by former District BNP Joint Convener AZM Saleh Faruque, Barguna Press Club President Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, District Fisheries Officer Ziauddin, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Barguna District General Secretary Abdus Shakur, and Kakchira River Police Outpost In-Charge Mahmudur Rahman.

Officials from various government offices, public representatives, political leaders, fisheries sector stakeholders, journalists, and representatives from diverse professions participated in the event.