Brigadier General (Retd.) said that there have been many irregularities in Chittagong port in the past. M Sakhawat Hossain. He said, the country’s main seaport will be gradually de-cluttered.
He said these things in a press briefing at Newmooring Container Terminal of Chittagong Port on Tuesday afternoon. After that, he held a meeting with the heads of the port and related institutions at the port building. Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Real Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Commissioner of Chittagong Custom House. Zakir Hossain, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz and others were present. After the shipping advisor arrived in Chittagong on Sunday, he has been visiting various facilities of Chittagong port and meeting with the concerned people for three days.
In the press briefing, the Shipping Adviser also said that there will be no corruption in our time – I can say this with a guarantee. There have been many irregularities here (at Chittagong port). Many licenses have been issued – in the name of someone’s uncle, someone’s uncle, someone’s grandfather. They are not working. You may have sold it to someone else with the license. All this is under our control. This port needs to be de-cluttered. Efforts will be made to respond more quickly.
He said, it is not possible to remove the mess of 22 years in 22 minutes. We are taking small steps. I don’t want to do anything, so that interested people get a chance. Apart from sea ports there are also many land ports, where there is more corruption. This corruption cannot be stopped in just two months. This will take time. Be patient.
In response to a question regarding the attempt to bring foreign operators inside the port during the last period of the previous government, M Sakhawat Hossain said that there will be a committee in this regard. If the revenue of the port is high, if that revenue increases every year, if it is in terms and conditions, if it is in our negotiated settlement and if our working people are not harmed, then we can think about it. After looking at the plus-minus and whatever decision is taken will be very transparent. At each stage you will know what the committee discussed, what decision was taken. All will be revealed.
Nothing will be DPM method (direct procurement method) and everything will be open tender, said the shipping adviser. We will review the terms of the tender so that everyone, local and foreign, can participate. DPM will only be a ‘G to G’ project if at all. We don’t want to do that in DPM either, unless absolutely necessary.
Regarding the Bay Terminal, he said, apparently, I do not see any problem in this project. Here comes the investment. Foreign investment is sitting. The World Bank is also sitting for it. There will be a detailed presentation in the ministry. After that I will talk to the stakeholders. Our import-export is increasing day by day. A new port will not be needed for many years to come if there is a bay-terminal. We need foreign investment. If we question all investments, outside investors will not come. We will look after our interests more. I will not do anything that will harm the country. Efforts will be made to manage the port under General Cargo Berth Port.
He also said that Chittagong Port is the lifeline of Bangladesh. If it is not running properly, not efficiently, then there will be difficulty in our economic lifeline. Loading-unloading takes some time as it is manual. If we can do automation then this time will be reduced further. Port authorities are working towards automation.
M Sakhawat Hossain expressed his displeasure as the auctionable goods were lying at the port for a long time and said that there are 20 years old containers lying here. The car has been sitting for 12-14 years. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is responsible for auctioning these. I still don’t know what their problem is. 40-60 percent of the space is occupied by them. I will talk to NBR chairman about this. If necessary, the law should be changed. The port should be made free.
He said that customs do not go to the docks outside. Congestion at the port is reduced if the container is opened and delivered with Offdock.