Mongla Port underperforming

The committee has ascribed the poor performance of the port to the working of an organised 'mafia' and the shipping ministry's failure to take steps to make things better. It has also recommended a 50 per cent cut in the port staff, which is redundant and responsible to a great extent for labour unrest and the anomalies in cargo handling.

The need for maintaining the viability of the port can hardly be overemphasized. The north-west region of the country is its natural hinterland. The port needs to be modernised and well-equipped to handle the ever increasing volume of both export and import freight, particular in the post-MFA era when the RMG sector will be facing a much stiffer competition. Smooth and efficient handling of cargo at the port is an essential precondition to boosting trade with other countries.

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It is welcome news that the government has adopted some measures to simplify the procedures of cargo handling and customs clearance at our ports. The procedural complexities have to be removed in order to refurbish the image of our ports which has been tainted in recent times by underperformance and lack of security.

The government ought to take note of the recommendations of the parliamentary committee with a view to eliminating the inhibitory factors. Obviously, the number of ships calling at the port has fallen sharply because operational costs are high while efficiency is far below the expected level.

The government cannot allow a hub of trade and commerce like the seaport to be controlled by goons and musclemen. However, the most important thing is to regain control over the situation and rid the port of the undesirable elements and unacceptable practices that have turned it into a burden on the exchequer.

The authorities must act decisively to make the port function to its full potential.