State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has said Chattogram Port workers are working tirelessly despite the crisis in the country and keeping the economy running.
“Port workers have worked tirelessly in this situation of the country. The port was not closed even for a day. We always respect their assessment. We are always on the side of the port workers and will be,” he said.
However, the state minister for shipping alleged that miscreants wearing police uniforms attacked ordinary students during the quota reform movement and tried to blame the law enforcers for it.
He made the comments on Thursday while distributing food items among more than 7,000 workers of Chattogram Port as per the announcement by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dry food was distributed among 6,700 workers of Chattogram port and 700 poor and disabled workers.
Khalid Mahmud said that even after creating a proper solution through discussions with the agitators for quota reform, arson and riots were carried out in different parts of the country. “The workers did not stop their work for the last five days. Although the miscreants wanted to paralyse the port, no untoward incident took place thanks to the efficiency of the port workers and the country's security personnel,” he said.
The state minister said leaders of business organisations of Bangladesh met the Prime Minister. “We heard and saw the businessmen boldly assured the Prime Minister. We are always aware of the difficulties faced by traders. We have confidence in traders. It is because of their activities that the economy of Bangladesh has become so dynamic and expanded today.”
“An attempt was made to paralyse the economy of Bangladesh… an attempt was made to destroy it. I think conspiracy will not succeed. Our economy will remain dynamic. No one can pull away from our goal of a developed Bangladesh in 2041,” said Khalid Mahmud.
Chittagong Port Chairman Real Admiral Mohammad Sohail, Secretary Omar Farooq, CBA leaders, C&F Agent Association leaders, and higher officials concerned were present.
The state minister said that the government supported all the demands of the quota activists and appealed against the High Court verdict. The government abolished this quota system in 2018. It was again ruled by the High Court. The Appellate Division reinstated it. But the students demanded that the quota be reformed into a legal framework. “Their communication with us was lacking. The prime minister was on a visit to China. After the visit, she assigned the responsibility to the Minister of Education and Minister of Law. After that, all the demands of the quota agitators were fulfilled on the judgment of the High Court,” he said.
He said that the workers here have many demands. “All the political parties unitedly joined the movement of the workers. But that labour movement did not burn down any industrial establishments or did not attack police outposts.”
He further said that the miscreants dressed as policemen attacked ordinary students and tried to blame the law enforcement agencies. The server station of Digital Bangladesh was burnt by fire in the disaster building and Bangladesh was separated from the rest of the world.
He said, “Bangladesh was once called a poor country, that poor country was not respected by other countries. Bangladesh has progressed a lot under the strong leadership of Sheikh Hasina. But the attack of conspirators has ruined our image abroad today.”
The state minister said due to the closure of the digital server station and the burning of the data centre, the customs could not carry out online operations, resulting in a container jam. Some operations were done manually, with which it was not possible to eliminate such a large problem. This slowed down the country's economy. “Every day 7-8 thousand containers are being handled and discharged from ships at the port. It was not possible to solve this problem. Due to this, there has been a huge loss in the overall economy. Our garment industry and other industries have slowed down and closed in many cases. This is a big blow to the economy of Bangladesh. I don't know how to overcome this shock.”
Regarding the collection of port demurrage on containers, the state minister said that many containers could not be cleared by the importers due to the situation. They are facing a charge. “You know that Chittagong Port gave a waiver of more than Tk 500 crore during Corona outbreak. Chittagong port will definitely consider it if businessmen present to us in that way. Because this port has been established not only to do business, but to serve the country's economy. This port will not operate by damaging the economy. This port will be useful in serving the economy. There is no reason to worry about it. In fact, we will stand by with the correct information and proof.”
