DCCI president Osama Taseer urged for framing a 'Chemical Policy' in order for creating a national safe chemical infrastructure. He also urged for preparing a conducive policy guidelines for chemical management system.
He made the plea while addressing a discussion meeting on "Safe Chemical Management System: Post-Chawkbazar Preparations" at DCCI on March 30.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) organized the event where Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Mohammad Sayeed Khokon was present as Chief Guest while Director General of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Md. Sazzad Hussain, ndc, afwc, psc, M.Phil. was present as Special Guest.
The DCCI president said that the demand of chemical in Bangladesh is about USD 2.5 billion every year which is increasing 8.0 per cent yearly. About 800 types of chemicals are being sold in Old Dhaka.
"Nimtoli and Churihatta incidents indicate that our chemical management system is not up to the mark. Like Hazaribag tannery industry, the chemical shops and stores of Old Dhaka may be shifted out of Dhaka having consultation with the businessmen of Old Dhaka. He also urged for rapid implementation of "Chemical Polli" which government is establishing on 50 acres of land. He said, for safe chemical management system we have to train the people engaged in this business and DCCI with the support from Fire Service department is interested to arrange trainings," he said.
Awareness is also important for both chemical businessmen and those who handle these flammable items, he said. Osama Taseer suggested for creating "Chemical Management and Safety Coordination Committee" comprising of researchers, scientists, industry and government.
One minute silence and special dua have been conducted to commemorate the departed souls in Chawkbazar and Banani fire incidents.
Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Mohammad Sayeed Khokon said, as demanded by the businessmen, a satellite fire station near the Babubazar bridge can be established for taking rapid action against fire if needed. He also said that government is going to establish a 'Chemical Polli' under BEZA at Sirajdikhan, Munshigonj soon. He said that Old part of Dhaka has a long heritage and its contribution to the economy and business is very noteworthy. He also requested the Fire Service and Civil Defence to investigate the recent fire incidents. A Task Force has been formed after Chawkbazar fire incident and it will consult with the businessmen before taking any decision. A team of volunteers of about 30,000 people has been there in Old Dhaka but he requested Fire Service and Civil Defence to give them proper training on fire fighting.
Engr. Sirajur Rahman, Chief Chemical Management Specialist, Engineering Resource International (ERI) presented the keynote paper. He said, in Bangladesh, businesses of about BDT 16,000 crore is directly or indirectly related with chemicals. For safe chemical management, Safety Data Sheet should be published in Bengali language also. He also said that training is needed to understand Safety Data Sheet as some of the terms are not familiar to common people. He suggested for policy guidelines, chemical management planning, training and monitoring. He termed Chawkbazar fire incident a lesson for us.
Brigadier General Md. Sazzad Hussain, ndc, afwc, psc, M.Phil. said that in order to mitigate devastating fire incidents we have to arrange proper trainings, drill, create awareness, formulate policies, implementation of those policies. He informed that a 20-member Hazmat Team is standby in the Fire Service head quarter. He also underscored the importance of having some satellite fire stations with having adequate under-water storage facility in Old Dhaka. Moreover he emphasized on creating mass awareness among the people to fight against fire.
Former Senior Vice President, DCCI Alhaj Abdus Salam, former Vice President M Abu Hurairah, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paints, Dyes and Chemical Merchant Association Kamal Ahmed, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Chemical and Perfume Merchants Association Md. Liakot Ali Babu, General Secretary Arif Hossain, Joint General Secretary Md. Shafiqul Islam Milon took part in the open discussion session.
DCCI Senior Vice President Waqar Ahmad Choudhury gave vote of thanks.
DCCI Vice President Imran Ahmed, Directors Engr. Akber Hakim, Andaleeb Hasan, Alhaj Deen Mohammed, Enamul Haque Patwary, Hossain A Sikder, Mohammad Bashiruddin and Shams Mahmud were also present on the occasion.
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