Port Protection Committee Opposes Leasing to Local Firms
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The Chattogram Port Protection Committee has demanded that the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) at Chattogram Port not be leased to any company, whether domestic or foreign.
Previously, various groups had protested only against leasing the terminals to foreign operators. However, this is the first time a platform has explicitly opposed leasing the facilities to local companies as well.
Committee Convener Engineer Delwar Hossain Majumdar said both local and foreign operators exploit workers.
“Some movements focus only on stopping foreign profiteers, while others target local ones. The reality is that both local and foreign profiteers engage in exploitation and profiteering. We oppose both,” he said.
He called for Bangladesh's principal seaport to remain fully under state ownership, control and operation, without being leased to any private entity.
Majumdar also expressed concern over what he described as an ongoing geopolitical conspiracy surrounding control of Chattogram Port and the Bay of Bengal.
“It remains unclear whose interests local and foreign companies are serving and in what form,” he said. “If we do not remain vigilant now, the country's independence and sovereignty could come under threat.”
Members of the committee previously participated in movements under different platforms that opposed efforts to lease port facilities to a US based operator. Drawing on that experience, they have now formed the new platform to campaign against leasing the port's terminals.
Committee Member Secretary Fazlul Kabir Mintu said issues involving ownership, control and management of the port extend beyond commercial considerations and are directly linked to the country's economy, security, sovereignty and public interest.
He warned that the country's conscious citizens would not accept the leasing of NCT and CCT to Dubai-based DP World or any other local or foreign company without public consent.
Committee leaders also noted that several strategically important state installations are located near Chattogram Port, including Bangladesh Navy and Air Force facilities, the Eastern Refinery and major fuel storage depots.
According to them, allowing foreign control over key port terminals could pose significant risks to national security. They urged policymakers to give the highest priority to national interests and public opinion before making any decisions.
The organization also demanded the full public disclosure of agreements related to Patenga Container Terminal, Pangaon Terminal and other port-related projects.
In addition, the committee strongly criticized a recent high-level government meeting with DP World in Dhaka and called for such initiatives to be halted immediately.
