NCT Tender 'Irregularities'
Mohiuddin calls for protest rally
Awami League Chittagong city unit President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury yesterday declared holding of a rally at Laldighi Maidan on September 9 to protest alleged irregularities in tendering process regarding appointment of private operators for New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port.
He was addressing a roundtable organised by Chattagram Bandar Raksha Parishad at Ladies' Club in Chittagong city.
The former mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) said opinions from different professionals would be collected about the issue, and appeal would be made to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before holding the rally.
Mentioning that a "mafia group" was involved in destroying the country's main sea port, he said the "group" would be declared persona non grata.
Movements would be continued keeping the port in operation, Mohiuddin said adding, “The port will not be shut for the movement. No programme like hartal would be declared.”
Former officials of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), leaders of different organisations including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Berth Operator and Ship handling Operator Association, C&F Agents Association, and Bangladesh Master Stevedores Association (BMSA) participated in the roundtable.
President of Berth Operator and Ship Handling Operator Association Fazle Ekram, BGMEA Director Sajedul Islam, BKMEA representative Showkat Osman, C&F Agents Association Joint Secretary Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu, Bandar Karmachari Parishad (CBA) President Mamtaj Uddin, Vice President Shariat Ullah and Dock Bandar Sramik Karmachari Federation General Secretary Mahfuzur Rahman Khan, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Former CPA Member (Engineering) Dr Safayat Ahmed Khan said corrections could be made after inviting any tender.
“But this time, it seems that everything is being done in favour of a particular firm,” he alleged.
He, however, suggested informing the issue to the higher authority before starting movement.
Former CPA Member (Finance) Mosharraf Hossain said a section is engaged in tarnishing the image of the government and they are trying to damage the port.
Earlier on August 28, Mohiuddin, announced at a press conference to build up movement raising allegation that there were irregularities in the process of tender for NCT operation.
He alleged that several terms and conditions in the tender have been changed or slackened in favour of a local firm.
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