Highlights
- Naval Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain criticises those protesting the lease of port facilities to foreign companies.
- Asks why they stayed silent for 17 years when “looting was happening” at the port.
- Says leasing is aimed at increasing efficiency and connecting to global standards.
- Advises protesters to see modern ports abroad before objecting.
- Inaugurates container yard and visits other port facilities.
Protesters Criticised by Naval Adviser
Naval Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain strongly criticised groups protesting the decision to lease parts of Chattogram Port to foreign companies. He questioned their long silence over past irregularities. He said,
“কিছু করলেই খালি চলে গেল, চলে গেল, আরে কী চলে গেল ভাই! গত ১৭ বছর কথা বলেননি কেন?”
Translation: “Whenever something is done, they shout that everything is gone! What has gone? Why didn’t they speak for the past 17 years?”
Context of the Lease Plan
The interim government has decided to lease out operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Laldia Char, and Bay Terminal to foreign companies. Agreements are expected in December.
Various labour groups, left political parties, and professional organisations are protesting the move. In response, police have banned all gatherings in the port area for one month.
Read more: Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed: “Tareq Rahman will come to the country at the right time”
‘Port Efficiency Must Improve’
Speaking to journalists after launching the construction work of a new container yard at Laldia Char on Monday (10 November), the adviser said Bangladesh must move forward with modern technology. Said,
“কিচ্ছু চলে যায়নি। অনলি পোর্টের অ্যাফিশিয়েন্সি বাড়ানোর জন্য… যদি আমাদের টার্মস অ্যান্ড কন্ডিশন ফুলফিল হয়।”
Translation: “Nothing is being taken away. This is only to increase the port’s efficiency… and only if our terms and conditions are fulfilled.”
He added that global ports now operate with advanced automation and artificial intelligence.
Reference to a Fully Automated Chinese Port
Sakhawat Hossain described his visit to a Chinese port operated almost without human presence. He shares,
“চীনে আমি একটা পোর্ট দেখে আসছি, যেখানে পাঁচজন লোক পোর্ট চালাচ্ছে… মনে হলো আমি একটা গোস্ট ছবি দেখছি।”
Translation: “I visited a port in China where only five people were operating everything… I felt like I was watching a ghost movie.”
He urged critics to see such ports before objecting to modernisation in Bangladesh.
14-Acre Yard to Increase Capacity
The adviser informed that Chattogram Port Authority is building a container terminal on 32 acres at Laldia Char. Out of that, 14 acres are already developed, increasing the port’s capacity by 10,000 TEUs.
He also addressed questions about increased tariffs but declined detailed comments because the matter is in court.
Inspection of Other Port Facilities
Later, Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the transport terminal at the Bay Terminal site and visited the X-Y shed, customs auction shed, and other port facilities. Senior officials, including Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, were present.
Source: Jamuna TV
