Foreign consultants being hired, port smarts from viability problems

A move gets underway to hire local and foreign consultants for Tk 274.20 million for operating systems automation of Pyra seaport, while the port struggles for viability, sources said Friday.

Besides, they said, superfluous purchases and staff training at additional costs also have been proposed under the project.

The Pyra Port Authority (PPA) has proposed the purchase of one jeep and four motorcycles at Tk 5.36 million, although it is deemed not necessary for port automation, they added.

Furthermore, the Authority would spend Tk 5.0 million for operating those motorbikes under a proposed Tk 1.60-billion 'Upgradation of ICT facilities of the Pyra Port Authority for its digitisation project', the project-insiders said.

And the PPA has proposed to spend Tk 75.50 million for training its manpower, which accounts for 4.70 per cent of the total estimated Tk 1.60-billion project.

The Port Authority has sought approval for the project from the Planning Commission (PC), which would be implemented between January 2025 and December 2027.

Meanwhile, the government has invested billions of dollars for setting up the Pyra port on the southern coast of the Bay of Bengal which is now found to be struggling for "poor operation-and viability concerns".

Analysts say the draft at the port is not adequate for handling mother vessels--and it is not appropriate site for the freight handling for a lack of proper connections and transportation system with Bangladesh's capital and other cities.

Under the main works of the proposed project, the port authority would invest Tk 215 million for procuring software for the automation, which is 13.33 per cent of the total Tk 1.60-billion project cost.

A proposal has been placed to purchase computers, network-related materials and software at an aggregate cost of Tk 1.146 billion--71.42 per cent of the total project cost.

"Interestingly, the entire cost is proposed as 'block allocation' without mentioning the total quantity, and unit prices of those products and materials," one official close to the process told the FE.

It has also proposed Tk 484.7 million for purchasing computers and ancillary materials without stating the total quantity.

Another Tk 287.6 million is also proposed for the purchase of computer-and network-related materials and some Tk 214 million for procuring computer database and software, they said.

All the costs are reflected in the Development Project Proposal (DPP) without mentioning the quantity and unit prices of the computers, software and relevant materials, said the officials.

A senior PPA official says they need the automation of the seaport for which they have undertaken the project and have recently sought approval from the PC.

"The automation will help facilitate the port's capacity building," he adds.

A senior PC official told the FE that they were scrutinising the project strictly.

"If we observe the project as important and viable for the economy, then we will recommend for approval at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC)," he added.

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