Convention held to protect Chattogram Port, protest set for August 31

Plans are underway to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT), two sensitive and profitable facilities of Chattogram Port, to Dubai-based DP World under a long-term agreement.

Workers, political parties, professionals and civil society groups have continued protesting the proposed lease. At a citizens’ convention organised by the Port Protection Committee at Chattogram Press Club on Sunday, speakers demanded cancellation of the leasing plan and warned against any secret or non-transparent agreement. The convention announced a protest march from Barik Building intersection on August 31 to oppose the proposed NCT-CCT lease. From August 17 to 30, the committee will conduct opinion-sharing and mass-contact programmes with people from different professions.

The speakers said Chattogram Port is a key national asset directly linked to Bangladesh’s economy and national interests. They argued that the economic, strategic and long-term national implications must be considered before leasing major terminals to any domestic or foreign company. A M Nazim Uddin, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the BNP-affiliated labour organisation, said workers’ interests must not be ignored and called for a broader movement against the leasing initiative.

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, a researcher of the Liberation War, said Chattogram Port is the lifeline of the national economy and that the long-term economic consequences and national interests must be considered before leasing NCT and CCT. He called for people from all political and professional backgrounds to join the movement. Engineer Delwar Majumdar, president of the Port Protection Committee, said, “The people will not accept the decision to hastily lease important terminals of the port to any domestic or foreign company.” He called for political parties, workers’ organisations, professionals, students and citizens to unite on a common platform to protect the port.

Speakers also demanded that national interests, port capacity, revenue, workers’ rights and employment be given the highest priority in any decision concerning the port. They warned that any secret or non-transparent leasing process would face resistance.