Protesters block Ctg port road over foreign operation of terminals

The Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Committee today began a day-long sit-in outside the port’s administrative building, demanding cancellation of government plans to hand over its terminals to foreign operators.

Several hundred leaders and activists of political and workers’ organisations joined the sit-in, which began around 11:20am.

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They blocked the road leading to the administrative building, halting vehicular movement, and chanted slogans including “Go back DP World” and “No foreign operator for profitable port terminals”.

A large number of police and port security personnel were deployed at the spot.

Speakers demanded cancellation of the proposed 15-year concession agreement with an international operator to operate and maintain the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and its overflow yard.

They also urged the government to drop plans to hand over the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) and General Cargo Berth (GCB) to foreign operators.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on October 1 gave in-principle approval to the draft concession agreement for the NCT and overflow yard.

Addressing today's protest, Fazlul Kabir Mintu, member secretary of the committee, said a comprehensive and transparent comparative assessment should be made public before the NCT is handed over under a long-term concession.

The assessment should cover the terminal’s potential revenue under state management, capacity enhancement, automation, operational efficiency and potential financial benefits to the state, he said.

The protesters also demanded withdrawal of what they described as “harassing and false” cases against port labour leaders and an end to administrative harassment of workers involved in the movement.