Govt trying to hand over NCT by offering excessive concessions: Ctg port workers

Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and leaders of the former Port CBA today accused the government of attempting to hand over Chattogram Port’s most strategic facility, the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), to foreign firm DP World by offering excessive concessions.

A major portion of the port’s earnings would be taken out by the foreign operator if the port’s most profitable terminal, NCT, is leased out to it, they feared.

They also alleged that the government is trying to lease NCT to DP World to accomplish the agenda of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury.

They were addressing a protest rally outside the Port Administrative Building at noon as part of their ongoing eight-hour work abstention.

Loading and unloading of cargo and containers at almost all jetties of the port remained suspended since 8:00am due to the work abstention called by Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and former Port CBA leaders.

Prior to the rally, during a protest procession in the port area, the protesters chanted slogans against BIDA executive chairman, Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman SM Moniruzzaman, as well as other alleged solicitors of DP World.

Humayun Kabir, coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Parishad, who chaired the rally, said the port currently earns US$161 to handle a 20-foot (TEU) container.

“The port authority shows ten to twenty times higher expenses at US$56 per container. So, the port’s net income per container stands at US$105,” said Kabir, also a former publicity secretary of the now debunked Chattogram Port CBA.

He said the CPA chairman and the negotiation committee are negotiating to hand over NCT to the foreign operator at the rate of US$105.

“It is a matter of great regret that BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury is attempting to hand over the container handling works to a foreign operator at the rate of only US$42,” Kabir alleged.

Kabir further alleged that over 30 CPA officials have been kept confined in the BIDA office in Dhaka for the last few days to complete negotiations with DP World to accomplish the agenda of Ashik Chowdhury.

He demanded the immediate release of those officials and that they be allowed to work independently.

Addressing the interim government, Kabir said, “You have become more fascist compared to the previous fascist government.”

In his speech at the rally, Dock Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal General Secretary Taslim Hossain Selim expressed surprise at the High Court’s speedy verdict on the legality of the NCT deal just a few days before the national election.

He said port workers would not accept any attempt by the government to strike a deal in a secretive manner when the countrymen’s attention is focused on the national election.

Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal General Secretary Ibrahim Khokon also spoke at the rally.

The government and the CPA are currently progressing with negotiations with DP World for a long-term concession agreement.

However, the correspondent could not reach Ashik Chowdhury and CPA Chairman SM Moniruzzaman for comments.

On January 29, the High Court rejected a writ petition challenging the legality of the government’s move to award a contract to UAE-based DP World for container handling at the NCT.