Ctg port must emerge as best with international standard facilities: CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today said the interim government had taken initiatives to turn Chittagong Port into world class by inviting top global port management companies.

He revealed the plan while speaking at the New Mooring Container Terminal of the port in the first event of his daylong tour in Chattogram, when he was briefed about the port capacity.

"It will be a big opportunity for us," said the chief adviser, adding that once the government plans are materialised, it will improve the economy of the country and create jobs for thousands of people.

"If we have to change the economy of Bangladesh, Chittagong Port is the hope. Without it, there is no alternative," he said.

Calling the port the heart of Bangladesh's economy, Yunus said, "If the heart is weak, no physician could make it function better. This is why we have to make it world-class."

"They (top global port management firms) were called earlier, but there was no meaningful progress," he said.

"This heart has to be connected with neighbours, that is why I said about Nepal, Seven Sisters (seven northeastern stares of India). If they are connected to it, they will be benefited and so will be us," he said.

Recalling his childhood memory with the port, the chief adviser said he was waiting for this visit.

"Chittagong Port is not a new place to me. I am familiar with it since my childhood. It has changed a lot over the years, but it's sad to see that its changes are slow. Since I got a chance, from day one I was trying to see what could be done for it," he said.

"The world has advanced a lot, and we are lagging behind. Nobody cares about it. This is why I was pushing for change."

"I asked to hand over the charge of port handling to world's top operators. I hope everyone would realise it," he added.

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain lauded chief adviser's eagerness to improve the port facilities in Chattogram.

He added that the construction of several terminals surrounding the port would ease container congestion.

"I hope within six months you will notice the change," he said.

Chittagong Port Authority chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman laid the emphasis on mordernisation of the port, saying that it handles 92 percent of Bangladesh's foreign trade and 98 percent of this trade is handled by New Mooring Container Terminal.

There is no alternative available to it at the moment, he said, adding that due to natural reasons ship above a length of 200 metres cannot anchor in the port.

Earlier in the day, upon arriving in Chattogram, Yunus toured the port before laying the foundation stone of the long-anticipated Kalurghat Bridge over the Karnaphuli river at the Chattogram Circuit House.

The bridge, expected to be completed in three years, is set to benefit residents of Boalkhali and Patiya upazilas significantly.

"It's a historic bridge," Yunus said.

During the visit, he is also scheduled to be briefed on key urban issues facing the city, including persistent waterlogging and traffic congestion along Hathazari Road near the Oxygen Intersection.

Yunus will also hand over land documents for the Chattogram National Heart Foundation to relevant authorities.

Several government officials accompanied him, including Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Education Adviser CR Abrar, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, and Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter.

Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, SDG Affairs Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present.