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Leaders of the Democratic Rights Committee (DRC) on Saturday demanded that the government should cancel the decision to grant a lease on New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port.
They made the demand at an event titled 'Why it is risky to lease Chattogram Port to a foreign company' at the conference room of the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in the capital.
Speaking on the occasion, member of DRC Prof Anu Muhammad alleged that the interim government is pursuing the same policy the immediate past Sheikh Hasina government did regarding operation of the NCT by DP World, a Dubai-based logistic company.
He stated that the process to give lease to DP World for operation of the NCT started in 2023. Leasing NCT to any foreign operators cannot enhance the capacity of the port as there is shortage of skilled manpower, absence of required infrastructure and a lack of good governance, he said.
He said that services of Mombasa sea port in Kenya, and Guayaquil port in Ecuador did not improve despite operations by foreign companies.
Mr Anu Muhammad further said that the activities of the interim government in the last 10 months do not prove that they are working to safeguard the nation's interests. He alleged that the government is using harsh language against those who are vocal about protecting the country's interests.
He called upon the government to sign all development deals with foreign companies in a transparent manner. He also urged people to make their upcoming road march a success scheduled for June 27 and 28 demanding cancellation of the decision to lease NCT to the DP world.
Engineer Kallal Mostofa, writer and researcher Maha Mirza, former general secretary of Chattogram CBA Nurullah Bahar and former additional secretary and member (admin and planning) of Chattogram Port Md Jafar Alam were present.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com