Empowerment of CPA stressed

CHITTAGONG, Feb 27: Speakers at a round table discussion on port activities here today observed that port administration and operation are being severely hampered due to lack of autonomy of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), inadequate handling of equipment, repeated interference of shipping ministry, related MPs and political leaders and filling up the vital managerial posts with officials on deputation ignoring experienced port personnel. The discussion titled, "Round Table on Growth Prospect of Chittagong Port as Regional Hub", was jointly organized by The Daily Star and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the CCCI auditorium in the morning. Moderated by Mahfuz Anam, editor of the daily, it was addressed by Mosharaf Hossain, member (finance) and Capt Shahjahan, member (harbour and marine) of CPA, Professor Sikandar, VC of East Delta University, MA Gani, general secretary of All European Awami League, former city mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, CCCI president Morshed Murad Ibrahim, senior vice president Mahbubul Alam, BSAA senior vice president Kamal Hayat, BGMEA first vice president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, former chief engineer of CPA Sultan Mahmud, former senior vice president of CCCI MA Salam, Engineer Shakhawat Hossain of Western Marine Shipyard, Benazir Ahmed of BICDA, former president of BSAA Ahsanul Huq Chowdhury, berth operators' leader Sahadat Hussain Selim, C&F Agents Association leader AKM Akhtar Hossain and advisor to the Daily Star editor Abul Momen. CPA Board members said the port authority has undertaken some development projects including a long flyover connecting the port with the Chittagong-Dhaka highway which is expected to be completed by June 2011, Terminal Management System and a good number of equipments such as gantry cranes, fork lifts, trailers, part of which is expected to reach the port within months and others by the beginning of 2012. They stated that the CPA handled 12, 12, 670 TEUs containers and the cargo handled in terms of volume was more than 37 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2009-10. "The Port's handling capacity has increased by 43 per cent while volume of containers and cargo has increased by over 12 per cent but the manpower has not," said Captain Shahjahan adding that the CPA is currently running manpower shortage of 2932 as per recommendations made by Enam Committee in the year 1983. They said the port authority cannot do everything according to their plan as the decisions in most cases lie with the ministries concerned and high government officials. On the other hand, the port users observed that the CPA chairman is enjoying the rank and status of a joint secretary only and who has no power to take independent decisions himself. They said that currently the main seaport, through which more than 80 per cent foreign trade of the country is performed, is facing severe operational problems created due to issuance of directives and imposition of restrictions from the government side. As a result the port is facing shortage of proper and experienced personnel at operation and management level but the government is trying to overcome this problem by posting personnel on deputation from other sectors.