Chattogram oxygen factories must address security problems

It is very worrying to note that 13 out of 15 oxygen factories located in Chattogram are found to be risky due to their inadequate security systems. Quoting the report of the port city’s Fire Service and Civil Defence, a national daily yesterday mentioned that 11 factories have not taken any fire safety measures. The report further said that, of the 24 off-dock container depots utilised for managing various products exported through Chattogram port, 21 have not implemented any fire safety plans.
This is preposterous. Perhaps in Bangladesh where human lives are apparently less valuable such negligence is possible. The safety lacking in oxygen factories as well as off-dock container deports clearly speak of not just the relevant authorities’ neglect for safety issues, but it also highlights the government’s inactive role in these regards.
Recently, an explosion took place at the Seema Oxygen Plant in Sitakunda killing six people and injuring 30 others. Following investigation the Fire Service urged the oxygen factories and depot authorities to promptly adopt fire safety plans and implement them without delay.
We think mere urging will not help unless the authorities, including the local administration, do not show strictness. The Fire Service mentioned the names of the truant oxygen factories that do not have a fire safety plan and they are Linde Bangladesh Limited, Kabir Oxygen Limited, Abul Khair Steel Melting Limited, Associate Oxygen Limited, Golden Oxygen Limited, Master Steel & Oxygen, Brothers Oxygen Limited, Sheetalpur Oxygen, Regal Oxygen, Manti Steel & Oxygen and Oxyco Ltd. Only two factories that are risk-free are GPH Oxygen Limited and BSRM Oxygen Reservoir. If the management of the factories at risk fails to implement fire safety plans as soon as possible, the local district administration authorities, the Fire Service mentioned, would take necessary action against them. We hope so.
In Bangladesh, due to lack of awareness, lives are being perished and properties destroyed as relevant authorities flout the rules of the building code. The tragic fire at the Bangabazar Shopping Centre a few days ago is a case in point. Despite warnings issued by the Fire Service several times, the authorities of the shopping centre did not take any precautionary measures. As a result, owners of the shopping centre became victims of massive loss just ahead of Eid. Therefore, generating awareness as well as strict enforcement of rules can minimise the frequency of this kind of tragedies.