Demand Grows for Ministerial Status for Ctg Mayor, Former Mayors Back ‘City Government’ System

Published : Saturday, 9 May, 2026 at 3:20 PM Count : 18

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has said that a letter was sent to the Cabinet Secretary on March 24 requesting ministerial status for the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation.

Speaking on the issue, the mayor said implementing a full-fledged “City Government” system may take time, but granting the city mayor ministerial status would help ensure better coordination among various service-oriented agencies in the port city. He said such coordination would accelerate efforts to resolve Chattogram’s long-standing waterlogging problem and speed up other development activities for the benefit of city residents.

Dr. Shahadat Hossain said effective coordination among government agencies is essential for the city’s development. According to him, giving the mayor ministerial status would facilitate faster implementation of development projects and administrative decisions.

Former CCC Mayor Alhaj M. Manjur Alam also expressed support for the concept of a city government system. He said many developed countries around the world operate under similar systems where all departments work in coordination rather than under the authority of one institution over another.

He noted that such a system would simplify development activities and benefit the public. According to him, if a city government system is introduced, the City Corporation would be able to receive better cooperation from relevant government departments in implementing development projects.

Referring to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s declaration of Chattogram as the country’s commercial capital, Manjur Alam said the present government is also sincere about the city’s development and could take a decision on the matter through discussions with local leaders.

Another former CCC Mayor, Alhaj Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, recalled that a “City Government” system was in place in Chattogram from 1988 to 1990, during which he served as mayor with the status of a state minister.

He said monthly coordination meetings were held under the initiative of Chattogram City Corporation where heads of various government agencies, including Chattogram Port, Chattogram Development Authority, WASA, health and power departments, attended and remained accountable for their respective activities.

Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said the city government system was later abolished through a bill passed in the national parliament. However, he believes reinstating the system and granting ministerial status to the Chattogram mayor would improve coordination among government agencies and ensure quicker implementation of development projects and public services.

FP/MI