The authorities is scheme to overview varied terms and conditions of the concession settlement of Patega Container Terminal with Saudi Company Pink Sea Gateway Terminal Global (RSGTI), Shipping Adviser Brigadier Classic (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain said this day (8 October).
“I inspected the Patenga terminal this day. Each Saudi officials and our team possess identified some concerns, which we’ll be in a position to completely overview,” he said at a press convention after visiting the terminal.
The adviser said, “We would possibly per chance possess to never construct anything else that would wretchedness our relationship with the nation [Saudi Arabia], as a vogue of expatriates from our nation work there. We additionally possess mutual interests. Choices will doubtless be made after cautious overview.”
He said the authorities will habits a thorough overview of previous tenders and their terms to create obvious magnificent competitors and prevent any unfair advantages for people or entities, no subject nationality.
The briefing followed an investigative yarn published by The Business Connected old on 8 October, highlighting the worries over the management of the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), built with the port’s private funds.
Consistent with journalists’ questions about foreign operators managing the terminal, Hossain acknowledged the disorders surrounding its operation.
Addressing the challenge of corruption in Chittagong Port, Shakhawat Hossain said, “There has been a vogue of corruption in this port, and it’s miles rarely any longer going to cease overnight. Then as soon as more, we’re actively working on these disorders.”
The adviser indicated to corruption in the recruitment of Berth Operators, stating, “Contracts had been awarded to relatives to operate the berths, and a vogue of these berths are now idle. We are in a position to take motion against operators who had been recruited through nepotism.”
He suggested journalists overlaying the port to support identify and yarn any irregularities they encountered, promising to construct them with easy get entry to.
He said, “As a newcomer to the port, I tag your support. Please kind a committee to match all irregularities and yarn correct now to me.”
Shakhawat Hossain additionally touched on the broader challenge of foreign investments in Bangladesh’s ports, acknowledging that several foreign entities possess expressed ardour in investing in Chittagong Port and varied ports across the nation.
While welcoming foreign investment, Hossain made it obvious that every agreements would possibly per chance possess to be made in the nation’s simplest interests.
“We are in a position to prioritise the nation’s interests. To create obvious fairness and transparency, all processes will doubtless be performed through aggressive tendering,” he acknowledged.
Shakhawat Hossain emphasised the multifaceted nature of foreign impart investment (FDI), noting that whereas it offers advantages, worldwide locations must safeguard their very private interests and prioritise them in negotiations with foreign traders.
He additional emphasised the must create obvious that Chittagong Port’s instruments is in optimal working condition, citing old conditions of instruments mismanagement and neglect.
“The corruption that has taken build over the final 22 years cannot be curbed in appropriate two months,” he acknowledged.
He additionally raised concerns concerning the lengthy-standing challenge of old-long-established containers and autos occupying home on the port.
“There are containers that had been sitting here for two decades and autos that had been abandoned for 12 to 14 years. It’s some distance the Nationwide Board of Earnings’s (NBR) responsibility to public sale them, but what is maintaining them support?” he puzzled.
Shakhawat Hossain warned that the effectivity of the port cannot be improved if these old-long-established items proceed to beget precious home.
“We would possibly like these items to be auctioned off snappy. If wanted, I will keep in touch with the NBR chairman to expedite the route of. Customs approved guidelines would possibly per chance additionally also would possibly per chance possess to be revised to facilitate this,” he added.
The adviser additionally mentioned ongoing efforts to automate port operations, which he believes will severely decrease the ready time for ships at Chittagong Port.
“If we are in a position to utterly put into effect automation, the ready time for ships will doubtless be slash down. This would possibly additionally also decrease the time it takes to load and sell off containers from ships,” he explained.
He great that whereas the Chittagong Port Authority is practising automation, several varied agencies fascinated with port operations must additionally contribute to making the port extra efficient.
Shakhawat Hossain reiterated the authorities’s dedication to ensuring the transparent and magnificent management of Chittagong Port.
“We’re centered on making this port extra efficient, and that requires the cooperation of everyone fervent. From ensuring aggressive tendering to addressing corruption and inefficiencies, we’re taking concrete steps to win the intention forward for Chittagong Port,” he affirmed.
All the intention in the course of the briefing, Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman and varied senior port officials had been additionally present.
