Rajshahi Correspondent: Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman would often recite Verse 26 of Surah Al Imran at various events. The verse reads:
“Qulillāhumma mālikal-mulki tu’tī al-mulka man tashā’u wa tanzi‘ul-mulka mimman tashā’u wa tu‘izzu man tashā’u wa tuzillu man tashā’u biyadikal-khair. Innaka ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.”
Its meaning is: “Say, O Allah, Owner of all sovereignty, You give power to whom You will and take power away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and humble whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Surely, You are over all things competent.”
Like his leader, student leader-turned-public leader Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation, recited the verse from Surah Al Imran and said, “Allah is the sole owner of all honor. He is Great and Almighty. He honors whom He wills, and He can also take that honor away.”
During a conversation, Riton spoke about his activities during the few months since taking charge as administrator. He said, “I am trying my utmost to do something for the people of the city. Honorable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has entrusted me with this responsibility with his faith and confidence in me, and I am trying to fulfill it. My objectives are to develop Rajshahi metropolitan city, improve the quality of civic services, and build a clean, modern, green, healthy, safe, livable and peaceful city.”
Riton said that the Prime Minister began extending his cooperation immediately after he assumed responsibility as administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation. First, during the Eid-ul-Fitr in Ramadan, financial assistance was provided to all sanitation workers so that they would be encouraged to work with greater enthusiasm. The same initiative was taken during Eid-ul-Adha. As a result, waste management during Eid was better than at any previous time.
The administrator said waterlogging is a major problem in the city. The large drainage channels had not been properly cleaned for a long time, causing the city to become waterlogged even after light rainfall. Keeping this in mind, he has personally supervised drainage-cleaning operations.

“It is not only the responsibility of the City Corporation; city residents must also become aware of the issue, particularly regarding dumping waste into drains,” he said.
“We want to preserve Rajshahi’s reputation as a Green City, Clean City and City of Peace. The Honorable Prime Minister has placed emphasis on tree plantation. Following his directives, we are continuing to plant more trees across the city so that Rajshahi becomes even greener and people can breathe fresh, clean air,” Riton said.
Riton said the Prime Minister has been continuously encouraging and supporting him, and he is also trying to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision.
“Under the name of beautification of Sonadighi Mor, the historic Sonadighi and Sonadighi Mosque were damaged. The Prime Minister has allocated some funds for discretionary expenditure. From that allocation, I will spend a portion to restore the beauty of the historic Sonadighi Mosque and Sonadighi,” he said.

Riton said he is working with the district administration and police administration to establish Rajshahi as a city of peace. Around 200 modern CCTV cameras have been installed at various points across the city to reduce crime and help identify criminals. There are also plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based modern technology in this area. Various government institutions have extended their cooperation in this regard.
“I am further encouraged by the sincere love of the city’s residents. I express my thanks and gratitude to them,” he said.
Responding to a question about healthcare services in the city, Administrator Riton said healthcare is a fundamental right of the people and that the City Corporation is extremely attentive to the issue.
“You will be pleased to know that Rajshahi City Corporation has always maintained a leading position in vaccination programs. We have successfully implemented the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign and vaccination programs providing protection against ten serious diseases among newborns. We are also conducting awareness programs regarding various other diseases,” he said.
He said efforts are underway to modernize Rajshahi City Hospital further and resolve its existing problems. As part of a long-term plan, a world-class 2,000-bed specialized general hospital with facilities for heart and kidney treatment will be established in the expanded northern part of the city.
He added that there is currently no well-planned ambulance service in the city. For the convenience of citizens, the City Corporation plans to launch an ambulance service with four ambulances. Two refrigerated ambulances will also be arranged for transporting bodies. Citizens will be able to receive ambulance services at affordable rates. Imams and priests will also be appointed to assist with burial and funeral arrangements after death.
Responding to a question about education, Riton said Rajshahi is known as an educational city, with more than 100,000 students coming from different parts of the country to study here.
“The number of government schools for girls in Rajshahi is inadequate. At least two new girls’ schools and boys’ schools need to be established. Moreover, to transform Rajshahi into a complete educational city, an agricultural university is needed. It could be established around the vast rice and wheat research facilities adjacent to the university,” he said.
He further said there are extensive cattle, duck and poultry farms in the Raja Bari area to the west of the city, where a veterinary university could potentially be established. A university specializing in sports could also be established.
“One of the biggest problems here is employment. Many educated unemployed people are suffering from frustration. There are many employment opportunities abroad. A training center for freelancing, artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology and various foreign languages will be established at the City Corporation building to develop skilled human resources. There is demand for such skilled workers both at home and abroad,” he said.
He said initiatives have been taken to make the Hi-Tech Park fully operational, while regular communication is being maintained with Japan so that skilled people can be sent there for employment opportunities. For the first time, students of Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) have also been given opportunities for internships.
Riton said the Prime Minister is sports-friendly and has emphasized sports from the very beginning. The foundation stone of an indoor stadium has already been laid.

“Taking inspiration from his interest in sports, we are working to establish 22 playgrounds in the city’s 30 wards. Sixteen recreational centers are also being planned for elderly men and women, particularly for walking and spending leisure time. These centers will have bathroom facilities, and the structures will be aesthetically designed,” he said.
He said plans have also been taken to construct a walkway and other facilities beneath the embankment to the west of the open stage so that elderly men and women can move around comfortably. A Green House has already been inaugurated.
The administrator said waste management is a major challenge, but modern waste management systems can turn waste into useful resources such as fertilizer, biogas and electricity. A project has been undertaken to achieve this objective.
He also said plans are underway to construct a modern slaughterhouse to ensure the supply of halal meat to city residents.
Riton also spoke about his plan to develop a “River City” around the char land that has emerged from the bed of the Padma River to the south of the city, with some parts of the land having sediment layers up to 18 meters thick.
“Another modern city can be developed there. Many countries around the world have developed by harnessing and managing their coastal and marine resources. This is only a dead river. We are communicating with JICA and China regarding this initiative. The investment made here will generate returns many times greater,” he said.
Riton said that since taking charge, he has been working day and night to prevent waterlogging in the city. He has personally been present to supervise drainage-cleaning operations.
“Meanwhile, certain quarters are deliberately trying to disrupt these initiatives. In some places, truckloads of sand have been dumped into drains, while elsewhere slabs have been broken and drains blocked, obstructing water drainage. Drains have also been turned into dumping grounds. I seek the cooperation of city residents in this regard,” he said.
Observations of the administrator’s activities show that most of the people who come to him seek employment. Three individuals who were involved in the July movement also came to meet him. He instructed his officials to take appropriate measures regarding the three individuals.
Asked how he views his appointment as the young administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation, Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said he had grown up facing the harsh realities of life.
“I used to dream about leadership from the time I was involved in student politics in college. I was inspired by the way leaders such as Mizanur Rahman Minu, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Salauddin Baby and Nadim Mostofa provided leadership and by how one could become a public leader,” he said.

“By the will of Allah and with everyone’s prayers, I have today been entrusted with the responsibility of administrator of the City Corporation. Alhamdulillah. I once again express my gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He has placed his faith and confidence in me by giving me this responsibility. I pray that I can fulfill it properly,” Riton said.

With the next City Corporation mayoral election approaching, Riton was asked about reports that several party leaders are already becoming active in anticipation of the election.
He replied, “The BNP is the largest political party in the country. There are many capable leaders and activists in the party. It is natural for them to aspire to become candidates. The party’s high command will nominate whoever it considers qualified.”
“I have been in charge for only four months. I am doing my best to serve the people of the city and remain close to them. My activities are before you, and I have also spoken about my future plans. If the party considers my performance and nominates me in the future, I believe the people of the city will continue to love and support me as they do now,” he said.
“My belief is that if I become mayor, I will build a city of peace by bringing everyone together, regardless of political affiliation,” Riton concluded.