Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The Ministries of Shipping and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources are at loggerheads over implementation of two development projects in Chittagong.
Earlier, the Shipping Ministry initiated the “Port Development Project” with the objective to strengthen the port logistics capacity of Bangladesh by constructing a deep-sea port at Matarbari area in Chittagong to accelerate port logistics with neighbouring countries.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the project.
Later, the Power, Energy Mineral Resources Ministry moved for installing the country’s first deep-sea single mooring point (SMP) with an objective is to ensure unloading of imported crude oil in a more efficient and time-saving manner.
China will build the mooring in Maheshkhali and set up a 220-kilometre double pipeline
to offload crude oil and sent it to depot of the Eastern Refinery directly. The annual capacity of the mooring is nine million tonnes.
Afterward, JICA in a letter to the Shipping Ministry raised an objection to the mooring project, as it falls into the port sector located in a sensitive area and is likely to have significant adverse impact on environment and economy.
“The project will also hinder smooth shipping operation, port development and fishing in the Bay causing enormous economic impact for Bangladesh,” read the letter.
The Japanese agency also recommended to the Energy Ministry to take ‘no objection’ from the Shipping Ministry prior to start of the project.
“Despite JICA’s objection the concerned ministry moved forward for implementation of the SMP project resulting in a tussle between the two ministries,” a senior Shipping Ministry official told The New Nation on Friday on condition of anonymity. He said his ministry has already sent two letters to the Energy Ministry citing the JICA’s concern over the SMP project requesting it to shift the location of mooring project. “But they did not pay heed to us and move forward to their project,” he added.
An Energy Ministry official said that they have sought ‘no objection’ from the Shipping Ministry on several occasions prior to launching of the project.
“But they did not respond to the Energy Ministry forcing us to implement the project,” he said.
State-runs Petrobangla is implementing the SMP project.
“It’s a highly technical issue. JICA also raise concern over the project. We take the matter seriously,” Shipping Minister M Shahjahan Khan told The New Nation yesterday.
He added, “The two ministries would resolve the issue through discussion.”
The Ministries of Shipping and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources are at loggerheads over implementation of two development projects in Chittagong.
Earlier, the Shipping Ministry initiated the “Port Development Project” with the objective to strengthen the port logistics capacity of Bangladesh by constructing a deep-sea port at Matarbari area in Chittagong to accelerate port logistics with neighbouring countries.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the project.
Later, the Power, Energy Mineral Resources Ministry moved for installing the country’s first deep-sea single mooring point (SMP) with an objective is to ensure unloading of imported crude oil in a more efficient and time-saving manner.
China will build the mooring in Maheshkhali and set up a 220-kilometre double pipeline
to offload crude oil and sent it to depot of the Eastern Refinery directly. The annual capacity of the mooring is nine million tonnes.
Afterward, JICA in a letter to the Shipping Ministry raised an objection to the mooring project, as it falls into the port sector located in a sensitive area and is likely to have significant adverse impact on environment and economy.
“The project will also hinder smooth shipping operation, port development and fishing in the Bay causing enormous economic impact for Bangladesh,” read the letter.
The Japanese agency also recommended to the Energy Ministry to take ‘no objection’ from the Shipping Ministry prior to start of the project.
“Despite JICA’s objection the concerned ministry moved forward for implementation of the SMP project resulting in a tussle between the two ministries,” a senior Shipping Ministry official told The New Nation on Friday on condition of anonymity. He said his ministry has already sent two letters to the Energy Ministry citing the JICA’s concern over the SMP project requesting it to shift the location of mooring project. “But they did not pay heed to us and move forward to their project,” he added.
An Energy Ministry official said that they have sought ‘no objection’ from the Shipping Ministry on several occasions prior to launching of the project.
“But they did not respond to the Energy Ministry forcing us to implement the project,” he said.
State-runs Petrobangla is implementing the SMP project.
“It’s a highly technical issue. JICA also raise concern over the project. We take the matter seriously,” Shipping Minister M Shahjahan Khan told The New Nation yesterday.
He added, “The two ministries would resolve the issue through discussion.”
