BCI demands quick steps to shift factories from Old Dhaka
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
FE Report
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Monday urged the government to take effective steps immediately for shifting the industrial units from Old Dhaka to stop repeating of Nimtoli tragedy.
"Nobody wants to set up factories in houses, and we are all aware of what it can bring," said BCI president Shahedul Islam Helal.
Mr Islam was speaking at a meeting between a four-member BCI-delegation and director general of Fire Service Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah in the city.
The BCI chief said a deadline could be fixed for the factory owners to set up adequate fire extinguishing equipment in their units. "The factory owners should also be served with a notice to do so, and the government should extend assistance to this end."
He told the Fire Service chief that nearly three years ago, the plastic product manufacturers' association signed an agreement with Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to shift the plastic factories from Old Dhaka.
"Fifty acres of land have also been allocated near Keraniganj, but the decision has not been implemented yet," the BCI president said.
Mr Islam also urged the fire service chief to include representatives from the business associations and trade bodies in the committees probing the Nimtoli tragedy.
The fire service chief said due approval should be taken from fire service, environment department and explosives control department before any entrepreneur sets up factory.
The comments from the BCI leader came following the chemical fueled-fire accident at Nimtoli that killed at least 121 people.
The blaze has prompted the government to launch a crackdown on unapproved industrial units and warehouses including those housing chemical substances in the residential areas.
During the last two weeks, the government has sealed off a number of warehouses and industrial units, and detained illegal chemical factory owners, forcing many others to shut down their units.
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Monday urged the government to take effective steps immediately for shifting the industrial units from Old Dhaka to stop repeating of Nimtoli tragedy.
"Nobody wants to set up factories in houses, and we are all aware of what it can bring," said BCI president Shahedul Islam Helal.
Mr Islam was speaking at a meeting between a four-member BCI-delegation and director general of Fire Service Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah in the city.
The BCI chief said a deadline could be fixed for the factory owners to set up adequate fire extinguishing equipment in their units. "The factory owners should also be served with a notice to do so, and the government should extend assistance to this end."
He told the Fire Service chief that nearly three years ago, the plastic product manufacturers' association signed an agreement with Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to shift the plastic factories from Old Dhaka.
"Fifty acres of land have also been allocated near Keraniganj, but the decision has not been implemented yet," the BCI president said.
Mr Islam also urged the fire service chief to include representatives from the business associations and trade bodies in the committees probing the Nimtoli tragedy.
The fire service chief said due approval should be taken from fire service, environment department and explosives control department before any entrepreneur sets up factory.
The comments from the BCI leader came following the chemical fueled-fire accident at Nimtoli that killed at least 121 people.
The blaze has prompted the government to launch a crackdown on unapproved industrial units and warehouses including those housing chemical substances in the residential areas.
During the last two weeks, the government has sealed off a number of warehouses and industrial units, and detained illegal chemical factory owners, forcing many others to shut down their units.