Operations at Chattogram port were brought to a halt yesterday due to the impending transfer of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World. The government and the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) are in discussions with the UAE-based operator. Worker groups at the port initiated fresh protests on Thursday and held an eight-hour strike on the following day.
The CPA relocated four employees, who were leading the protests, to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Keraniganj and instructed them to report to their new assignment by today. The employees include Humayun Kabir, audit assistant and coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Parishad; Md Ibrahim Khokan, engine driver and general secretary of Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal; Md Anwarul Azim, senior accounts assistant; and Md Faridur Rahman, a fourth-class employee in the engineering department.
Despite the transfer orders, Humayun stated that they would not comply and would continue their protest actions. A six-member committee has been formed by the CPA to evaluate the financial losses resulting from the strike and identify individuals participating in the movement.
During the protests, speakers at a rally accused top officials, including Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury and CPA Chairman SM Moniruzzaman, of leading the agreement with DP World. The High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the government’s decision to award the NCT contract to DP World on January 29.
Sources within the CPA and the shipping ministry revealed that the interim government is gearing up to finalize the concession agreement with the UAE firm before the national election. They mentioned that key officials have been in Dhaka for over a week to conclude the deal.
Various timelines were set by the government to complete the NCT deal, the largest facility at the port, but the process faced delays due to legal challenges. The signing of the concession agreement was initially scheduled for January 31, but subsequent deadlines were established to accommodate the negotiations and evaluations required.
The worker organizations enforced an eight-hour work stoppage to protest the perceived excessive concessions being offered to DP World, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the port’s earnings. Protest leader Humayun Kabir criticized the deal terms and alleged that the government was undervaluing the port’s net income per container. He also raised issues about the proposed revenue-sharing arrangement with the foreign operator.
The protest activities and the ongoing negotiations between the government, CPA, and DP World have drawn attention and criticism from various stakeholders involved in the port’s operations.
