50pc fertiliser import thru' Mongla port may become mandatory

The decision to take the measures were taken at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Shipping , held in Dhaka last week, according to officials of Mongla Port Authority (MPA).

One of the steps may be a mandatory provision for fertiliser importers to import half of their consignments through the port. It may be effective from next month.

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The provision is being studied also in case of export of some items, the sources said.

Export of Barhopukuria coal through Mongla port may be made compulsory. The proposal was discussed at the meeting and the JS body took a positive note regarding this, they said.

The Ministry of Ports and Shipping will soon initiate talks with exporters and importers associations on the issues, the source said.

They said the government sincerely intends to reactivate the country's second largest seaport by taking some positive measures. The mandatory provision as regards fertiliser import may be is one of the steps now being studied, they said.

However, the shipping ministry will hold an 'open discussion' with industrialists and leaders of FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries) before enforcing any decision to make export-import though Mongla port mandatory, they said.

The sources said the Chairman of Mongla Port Authority already held a discussion with high officials of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation regarding import of fertiliser through Mongla port. The discussion was quite fruitful as claimed by MPA Chairman Abu Taher, they said.

Golam Mohammad Siraj, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Shipping Ministry, told the meeting that that Mongla port will restore its lost image if the decisions are implemented.

A mandatory provision regarding fertiliser import, export of coal and import of other items would be the beginning only, he said.

"We are trying our best to save the port at any cost. A consensus between the ruling party and the opposition is also essential regarding implementation of the decisions", he was quoted as telling the meeting.

Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Khulna City Awami League President and a lawmaker from Mongla constituency, told the meeting that all possible steps would be taken to reactivate the port.

The government will not hesitate to take steps against the Mafia gangs operating in the port, he said. Sources claimed that 11 Mafia gangs are now active in the port.

The MPA sources said the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting also discussed the overall situation at the port, including security, its annual handling capacity, infrastructure and revenue earning.

Though scheduled, Ports and Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain was not present at the meeting.