Traders protest leasing of Nagarbari port terminal
Loading and unloading of goods at Nagarbari river port came to a halt yesterday as traders kept shutters of their warehouses down alleging that the authorities concerned leased the port terminal (ghat) to a Jamaat man.
They also decided not to pay toll to the lessee and demanded immediate cancellation of the lease.
They alleged that the district administration leased the port terminal to Ilias Ali, brother of Puran Varenga union Jamaat chief Iman Ali, ignoring the highest bidder.
Bera Upazila Chairman Md Azizul Haque said though a bidder offered Tk 22 lakh to use the terminal, the district administration leased it to Ilias Ali, also a leader of pro-Jamaat traders' association at Nagarbari, for Tk 20 lakh.
He urged the authorities concerned to cancel the lease of the port terminal and invite fresh tender.
Nagarbari River Port Traders' association Secretary Md Rafiqullah, said they will continue agitation until the lease of the river port terminal is cancelled.
Md Emam Uddin Kabir, additional deputy commissioner (revenue), told this correspondent that the district administration leased the terminal to Ilias as he was the highest bidder.
“We have completed the leasing process as per tender rules and given work order to Ilias,” the ADC said, adding that Ilias' political identity was not found in the tender documents.
Contacted, Bera upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) said the district administration is the authority to lease the terminal of the river port. “I was just a member of the tender committee,” the UNO said.
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