Terming Chattogram Port as economic lifeline of the country, speakers at a meeting have underscored the need for comprehensive measures to ensure smooth delivery of containers in the port to protect the national interest.
They also opined that containers are not being sufficiently delivered from the port as container handling is not sufficient due to coronavirus outbreak in the country, reports BSS.
The observations were made during the port coordination meeting at Chattogram Circuit House on Tuesday.
Divisional Commissioner ABM Azad presided over the meeting. Chattorgam City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad, Custom House Commissioner Fakhrul Alam, President of Bangladesh Shipping Agent Association Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury, Port director (administration and planning) Zafar Alam, President of the Barth Operators Association, Fazle Ikram Chowdhury, Liaquat Ali Howlader, secretary of the port based C&F Agent Association and BGMEA director Anjan Shekhar Das were present at the meeting.
City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said social distancing must be ensured as it is a must to contain the spread of coronavirus. So, considering all the aspects, comprehensive recommendations should be taken to reduce container congregation in the port.
The divisional commissioner said as the Ctg port is the lifeline of country’s economy, time-befitting manner should be taken to reduce pile of containers as the country as well as the entire world is facing coronavirus pandemic.
Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Sheikh Abul Kalam Azad said, “We have been able to identify the problem that the containers are not being sufficiently delivered from the port. With the help of everyone we can solve the problem within four days.”
President of Bangladesh Shipping Agent Association Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury demanded that the banks should remain open until 5 pm for export and imports.
Port director (administration and planning) Zafar Alam said, “Container delivery has now declined due to Corona situation.” He also proposed that all port-related organisations should be open for 24 hours or a full day to reduce pile of containers.
Additional Commissioner of CMP (Traffic) SM Mostak Ahmed said the law enforcers will assist port employees so that they can move smoothly.
Port member Commodore Shafiul Bari, BKMEA leader Shawkat Osman, former Chamber director Mazharul Haque Shah, Buffer director Khairul Alam Sujan, director of nuclear power commission Dr. Shahadat Hossain, BSTI Director Selim Reza, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Chattogram AKM Mohiuddin Azad, Additional Divisional Commissioner Shankar Ranjan Saha, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ilias Hossain, Brigadier General Kabir Ahmed, Coast Guard Staff Officer Lieutenant Commander Saiful Islam, among others, were also present.