Withdrawal of taskforce likely to cause turnaround time to worsen at Ctg port

---

Jasim Uddin Haroon
Corrupt practice has resurfaced in Chittagong Port following the withdrawal of the members of the taskforces about a month back, according to port users.
As a result, the turnaround time of vessels and container congestion might deteriorate, port operators feared.
The army-led taskforce started monitoring the activities at Chittagong port since January and they implemented a number of reforms to expedite cargo movement and reduce container congestion.
The port's efficiency grew 30 per cent and cost of doing business at the port was reduced by 40 per cent since the taskforce intervened, according to a study conducted by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
Acting president of the CCCI MA Latif told the FE Saturday that extortion of bribe by port equipment operators resurfaced due to the absence of monitoring.
Although all the port services have been privatised, the private operators have been using the port's equipment and the services of the operators to do their jobs.
The CCCI acting president said port users and private operators at different jetties have complained about bribery and extortion at the port.
"We called some of the senior private port operators today (Saturday) at our office to discuss the details of the matter," CCCI acting president added.
The CCCI acting president also told the FE that it would send a message to the Chief Adviser (CA) today (Sunday) requesting him to take steps so that the bad practices might be stopped at the port.
FBCCI standing committee chairman of port and shipping Mohammed Amirul Haque told the FE that they were really worried over the renewed corruption at the port, in connivance with sections of port employees and officers.
"It is really shocking for me that just after withdrawal of the task force, port operators have started taking bribes and are indulging in other under-hand dealings," Amirul who is also the FBCCI director added.
He suggested that the Task Force should stay at the Chittagong port until the reforms take a permanent shape.
Tarek Kamal, one private operator at jetty number 11, told the FE that equipment operators, mainly fork lift operators, were charging bribe from private operators and importers.
"We will sit in the next couple of days on the issue with all private operators and tell them not to pay any bribe or speed money to the operators and labourers," he added.
Port's equipment operators display reluctance to work but as soon as they receive speed money, cargo movement is expedited, sources alleged.
Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, another private operator and managing director of Fazlisons told the FE that he would make a quick enquiry into the issue and take measures.
But, port officials told the FE that they were not aware of such practices being done by the equipment operators after withdrawal of the Task Force.
Refuting the allegation, Zahid Hossain, Terminal Manager of the Chittagong Port Authority said there is no existence of such corrupt practices.
"The members of the task force are now working at the Chittagong Customs House (CCH) which is very close to the port. I think the allegation is not correct. The private operators should inform me about the issue," Zahid added.