Lack of code of operation hits Ctg Port truck terminal
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Nov 04: The only truck terminal at the Chiattagong Port operated by Panama Logistics (BD) Ltd has experienced a number of demonstrations over the government's dillydallying in hammering out the much-awaited operational agreement between the traffic department of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the operator.
The demonstrations were initiated on October 26 last by MA Latif, a local ruling party lawmaker, who happens to be the president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), against what he called extortion by the Panama Logistics (PL) from truckers in the name of parking charges at the rate of Tk 70 per truck.
He said that the PL was charging the money from about 600 trucks and covered vans, most of which were not using the terminal for parking. He also led a demonstration in front of the terminal on October 31 demanding suspension of the lease agreement by the CPA authority.
But the Panama Logistics said they were claiming Tk 62 only from a truck or covered van, parked inside the terminal as per agreement with the
CPA on operating the terminal on the BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis for a period of 15 years.
Lt Col (retired) Md Sarwar Shaheed, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Panama Logistics (BD) Ltd, said they had constructed the only CPA-owned truck terminal at Nimtala under the Bandar police station in the beginning of 2004 at a cost of Tk 30 million (3.0 crore).
"The port authority allowed us to operate the terminal for 15 years on a daily basis at the rate of Tk 50 for an inter-district truck and Tk 25 for a local truck. The rate was fixed for five years beginning from 2002 and was enhanced as per agreement for the next five years," the CEO said. Accordingly, the PL was charging the parking rate, which was quite legal, he claimed.
But the problem has cropped up as there is no operational agreement as yet between the traffic department of the CPA and the Panama Logistics.
CHITTAGONG, Nov 04: The only truck terminal at the Chiattagong Port operated by Panama Logistics (BD) Ltd has experienced a number of demonstrations over the government's dillydallying in hammering out the much-awaited operational agreement between the traffic department of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the operator.
The demonstrations were initiated on October 26 last by MA Latif, a local ruling party lawmaker, who happens to be the president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), against what he called extortion by the Panama Logistics (PL) from truckers in the name of parking charges at the rate of Tk 70 per truck.
He said that the PL was charging the money from about 600 trucks and covered vans, most of which were not using the terminal for parking. He also led a demonstration in front of the terminal on October 31 demanding suspension of the lease agreement by the CPA authority.
But the Panama Logistics said they were claiming Tk 62 only from a truck or covered van, parked inside the terminal as per agreement with the
CPA on operating the terminal on the BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis for a period of 15 years.
Lt Col (retired) Md Sarwar Shaheed, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Panama Logistics (BD) Ltd, said they had constructed the only CPA-owned truck terminal at Nimtala under the Bandar police station in the beginning of 2004 at a cost of Tk 30 million (3.0 crore).
"The port authority allowed us to operate the terminal for 15 years on a daily basis at the rate of Tk 50 for an inter-district truck and Tk 25 for a local truck. The rate was fixed for five years beginning from 2002 and was enhanced as per agreement for the next five years," the CEO said. Accordingly, the PL was charging the parking rate, which was quite legal, he claimed.
But the problem has cropped up as there is no operational agreement as yet between the traffic department of the CPA and the Panama Logistics.