Standstill at Chattogram Port must be removed for the sake of economy

It is worrying that the Chattogram Port has grounded to a complete halt in the last two days due to an indefinite strike by workers and employees over the government’s move to lease the important New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based WP World.

According to media reports yesterday, it the stalemate continues for long, prices are likely to spike ahead of Ramadan and export datelines will also be missed.

The indefinite strike comes after the protesters observed an eight-hour strike from Saturday to Monday.

As we know Chittagong Port is the lifeblood of the national economy as 85 percent of the country’s imports and exports are handled through this port.

Therefore, the said deadlock is not only a loss for the traders who use the port, but it is also a major blow to the national economy.

The strike took a severe turn on Wednesday, leaving the port’s jetties and yards deserted, with no movement of people or vehicles and all shed and offices remaining closed.

Besides, the usual long queues of cargo-carrying vehicles in and around all the port gates were absent. Both sides of the gates also remained closed.

Even no vessel could leave the port’s main jetties or take berths in the last two days. Thus, the amount of revenue loss in the event of a strike at the port should be calculated.

The protesting leaders earlier have also told media that they will launch a more stringent program if the decision to lease the NCT terminal to the foreign company is not reversed.

The interim government suddenly announced a policy decision last year to lease the NCT to a foreign company.

However, the main duty of this government, formed through a mass uprising, was to conduct elections, reforms, and complete judicial work. Instead, it is not clear why the illusion of granting a port lease occurred.

Like the current interim government, various governments in the past have also tried to take similar decisions, citing the need to improve port management and thereby end bribery and corruption.

But they were not successful in the face of the combined protests of various forces, including the workers and employees.

It is strange why the interim government is determined to implement this major decision regarding the port, which is of national interest, at a rapid pace, rather than leaving it for the next elected government.

It is our expectation that any decision should be taken and implemented after taking the views of all the stakeholders concerned into consideration.