Shipping, Textiles and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (Retired) M Sakhawat Hossain during a visit to Pangaon river port on Monday said all ports including Chattogram Port will be freed from syndicates very soon.
He asked Pangaon port authorities to arrange quick delivery of goods from the port in the shortest possible time to make port operation more efficient and profitable. "Pangaon is a crucial river port due to its location.
The interim government is working relentlessly to make the port profitable," he said after visiting Pangaon River Port, Ananda Shipyard, Dockyard and Engineering Works, Deck and Engine Personnel Training Center (DEPTC) on Monday to review the port activities; said a press release.
The adviser also gave directives to take initiatives for building parks and jetties under BIWTC's supervision through land acquisition by district commissioner. He asked the concerned authorities to take initiatives to open floating restaurants at the port and tourist ships.
He said a meeting will be held soon to take decision about cargo fares on the Chittagong-Pangaon sea route which was increased during the previous government's tenure amid growing protests.
The adviser asked the concerned authorities to avoid dilly-dallying and public sufferings in the name of inspection. Terming shipbuilding is a very potential sector for the country; the adviser said the government is determined to take the sector forward.
The government is taking steps to encourage foreign investors to invest in the shipbuilding industry, he added.
Shakhawat said there are many irregularities and mismanagement and influence of syndicates in the ports. All ports including Chattogram Port will be freed from syndicates very soon, he said.
Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Sanjay Kumar Banik, officials of the ministry and representatives of the affiliated organizations were present.
