An independent administrator for CPA?
As the Chittagong Port prepares to deal with transit shipments, The Daily Star caught up with Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, first vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and a member of Chittagong Port Users' Forum. Here is his take on the hot-button issue.
What sort of difficulties do you face in using the port?
The main problem with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is that efficiency is not increasing as required.
The port runs short of equipment, and the equipment available is not used properly. Dysfunctional equipment is not being replaced either.
The port should procure modern equipment. User parties await permission to use the private equipment. We, therefore, are deprived of quicker services, when required.
Time loss is a major factor, especially in the case of readymade garments. The consignment that we should be able to deliver within a day, takes three days now. We would be benefited more if goods were delivered even an hour early.
Are you satisfied with the present management of the port?
CPA needs a good management system. Discipline needs to be developed and heightened in port operations.
The port falls far behind in standards, compared to other modern ports in the world. If we want to reach the standards of any modern port, like Singapore, we'll need revolutionary changes in terms of management here.
Pro-active decisions are also needed here. Management should keep in mind that Chittagong port is the mainstay of the country's economy. If decisions can be taken rapidly and implemented effectively, our port will turn into a modern port, I gather.
What initiatives can be taken to improve workers' skills?
Policy changes are required.
Effective policies should be adopted to encourage workers to increase their professional skills. The skilled workers need to be appreciated duly, because appreciation makes a worker more sincere and eager. Some policy changes are required for this.
As a port user, are you satisfied with the present ability to handle container?
The port's container handling capacity has to be increased. It should be more systematic.
What are your observations on port workers' dissatisfaction?
Our workers are very simple. Middlemen might be present, who use the workers to create unrest in the port, just to satisfy their own ill motives. But most workers remain unaware.
The workers should be treated humanly and provided with their dues. Management needs to look at their grievances by paying more attention.
What is the role of the New Mooring Container Terminal in the development of our economy?
The New Mooring Container Terminal (NMCT) should come into operation as soon as possible and it will certainly facilitate our economy to flourish.
It is a matter of great regret that the NMCT now hangs in limbo because of bureaucratic tangles.
What is your take on giving transit to our neighbours through Chittagong port?
I appreciate it, but the port is not ready at the moment to facilitate such services. The CPA is currently failing to provide the domestic users with services properly.
How does CPA propose to offer proper services to foreigners with the present infrastructure?
Before giving transit, we have to develop infrastructure. The Dhaka-Chittagong highway has to be made into four-lanes. The capacity of the port must be increased further as well.
What do you suggest to make the port more efficient?
Firstly, the port needs a capable administrator. The administrator should also have the authority to make decisions independently. S/he must be allowed a logical period of time to prove his/her worth.
The administrator should take up a challenge, to turn the port into a modern one, like Singapore, within an agreed period of time.
A modern port must employ a knowledgeable, modern and independent administrator.
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