Sramik Dal begins weeklong protests against NCT lease to foreign operator

The Chattogram port unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, the workers' wing of BNP, launched a series of weeklong protest programmes today, protesting the government's move to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to a foreign operator.

As part of the first day's programme, the organisation brought out a torch procession from its office near the port's Auction Shed around 7:30pm.

The procession, joined by several hundred workers, marched through Customs Intersection and concluded at Bondor New Market.

At a rally held there, leaders of the organisation urged the government to cancel its plan to lease out the port's most profitable and well-equipped terminal to a foreign operator.

Former publicity secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal (former CBA) Humayun Kabir was present as the chief guest at the rally, while the event was presided over by former executive member of port CBA Abul Kalam Azad.

"NCT is the fully equipped and modern terminal of the port," said Kabir, addressing the rally.

He said that the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) currently earns around $165 per container from the terminal. After deducting a $10 handling fee for the local operator and $40 in other expenses, the CPA nets $115 per container.

"If NCT is handed over to the foreign operator DP World, they would collect and take away most of the charges, which is in foreign currency, paying only a meagre handling fee to the port," he said.

"Even if the foreign operator offers at best $50 per container to the port, it would take away the remaining $65," he added.

Kabir further noted that since the terminal is already developed, there is little left for further investment.

"We are opposing the move because we want to keep all the earned foreign currency in the country," he said.

Describing the chief adviser as "an asset of the country," Kabir emphasised that the NCT and CCT terminals are also national assets.

He urged the chief adviser not to hand over these facilities to foreign entities "by being misled by any quarter."