Allow perishable goods to leave Ctg port
The storage space in Chattogram Port is quickly running out as reefer containers used to transport perishable goods have piled up because of limited delivery in the past few days amid the current countrywide lockdown enforced to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Importers waiting to accept the delivery of items such as fish, fruits, onion, garlic and ginger are also facing delays in getting the necessary documents from banks and different government offices for the movement control order.
Vessels are still arriving at the port and goods and containers are continuing to be loaded and unloaded, but because imported products are not being delivered quick enough, different yards of the port are getting congested and the port authority has had to arrange for alternative means of power to supply enough electricity for the additional number of reefer containers that have piled up. But for how long can this continue? Surely there is a limit to the extra number of containers that the port can handle, as well as the amount of time it can store them. Moreover, these containers are filled with perishable goods that have an expiry date. And if they are not delivered fast enough, all these items will go to waste and importers may have to face heavy losses.
Despite the port operating round the clock, the fact that other related offices are not providing the same volume of services is what is causing this delay. But the government should have been aware of this, and made provisions so that importers could get their products delivered on time and so that the port did not become overburdened with containers.
It is of course understandable why operations of different offices are being hampered at this time. However, it is unacceptable that poor management and planning should lead to such delay and potential losses when they can be mitigated with better coordination. The government needs to ask the other service offices to make special arrangements in order to clear the delivery of perishable items and ensure that the port authority receive the support they require.
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