Sarwaruddin, Chittagong :
Port Users Forum (PUF) and related port beneficiaries opposed long- term private operator appointment for the newly- built New Mooring Container Terminal operation of Chittagong Port.
NCT was built with own fund of CPA during last regime of the ruling party at a cost of Tk 37cr . The PUF also demanded quick implementation of Karnaphuli Capital Dredging (KCD) . They also called the Chittagong Port Authority(CPA) to take immediate steps for dredging of all existing river connecting khals(canal) for resolving the city severe waterlogging situation.
This was expressed by the PUF and PAC members at the 8th meeting of the Port Advisory Committee(PAC) . The PAC committee was presided over by the Minister for Shipping Md. Shahjahan Khan MP at Port Stadium Hall on Wednesday .
Among others Minister for Water Resources Anisul Islam Mahmud, City Mayor Manzoor Alam , Moinudin Khan Badal MP, Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury MP, former Mayor and city AL President Mohiuddin Chowdhury, CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Mahbub Chowdhury, Director of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce Mahfuzul Hoque Shah, President of C&F Agents Association AKM Akhter Hossain, BARVITA Secretary Mahbubul Hoque Chowdhury Babar, Director of Berth Operators Association Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, Director of Freight Forwarders Association Khairul Alam Sujan were present in the meeting.
The members of the PAC and the PUF dissatisfied over the non-operation of the NCT since long after its completion and stoppage of Karnaphuli Capital dredging.
With the views of the PAC members, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said, a decision regarding operation of NCT was taken earlier and I will not comment anything at this moment about it. He further said govt will not take any suicidal decision without the opinions of the PAC regarding operation of NCT. He also reiterated to free the Karnaphuli river from pollution and illegal grabbing and assures for immediate dredging of Karnaphuli river connected khals.
The meeting also decided to constitute a committee aimed at formulating the necessary recommendations on port handling charges following the complaints of the port users. Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud MP expressed discontent over the non-transparent deliverations of the concerned port officials regarding progress of capital dredging project and payment of the contractor.
The minister also requested CPA to identify the Karnaphuli River connected khals and to adopt effective measures of dredging which is very much essential for mitigating the water logging and water congestion of the city during rainy season and high tide period.
City Mayor Manzoor Alam hailed the CPA for taking initiatives of dredging of different inner khals in the city including Moheskhal and urged coordination of all service oriented agencies in City for remaining the prevailing waterlogging.
Local legislator Moinuddin Khan Badar MP expressed concern over the non-operation of NCT since long. He said NCT was built with own fund of CPA and why not CPA is procuring the operating equipments from CPA fund rather question of private berth operator arises.
He also suggested formation of Karnaphuli River Authority( KRA) for proper supervision of the river against any encroachment , pollution etc. Another member of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Ports and Shipping Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury MP, said under the shadow of Malaysian Dredging contracting firm, a black listed contractor underwent the dredging work who escaped leaving the work. In the meantime dredging contracting is warning the CPA for legal actions following the abrogation of agreement of dredging.
Former Mayor and city AL President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury protesting the deliverations of the parliamentary standing committee members said the decision of Prime Minister was to operate the NCT through procuring equipments with own fund of CPA but the parliamentary committee could not impose any decision on NCT bypassing the directives of the PM. He also cautioned that any decision for long term lease of private operator for NCT will be suicidal for CPA and there is every possibility of beggared of CPA feared. He also disclosed that there is no example of lease for 25-30 years term of port operation by private operators in any ports of the neighbouring countries.
Later, Shipping Minister presided over the 26th Taskforce Meeting of CPA at Chittagong Circuit House at evening. The meeting decided to free the Karnaphuli river from illegal grabbing within a month.
The meeting also demanded formation of KRA for overall supervision of the river channel. The minister also disclosed that land demarcation of Karnphuli river will determined as per CS and RS survey maps and Khatians. CWASA, WDB and Coast Guard will be included in the Task Force and CPA will act as Coordinator of 4 committees of Task Force, he added. City corporation has been asked to take immediate steps to evict the illegal encroachment of khals.
Mentionable that Task Force was constituted against the illegal grabbing of land, pollution free, and sustaining the navigability of the Karnaphuli river, sources said.
