Chittagong Poor Management, Low Efficiency!

Dagang mismanagement, inefficiency, importers have paid the price. This year they have lost 11.95 billion baht. They have to pay demurrage on foreign exchange earned by foreign shipping companies. This pushed up the price of imported goods and, finally, the burden on consumers.

Although the country's main seaport is in such dire straits, Admiral Mahalda Iqbal, Chairman of the port, traveled abroad with associates to "gain knowledge." And this is just two weeks before he retired. He believes that the "acquired knowledge" will be applied to the development of Chittagong. But when he came back, he would have left six days before he retired on January 30.

The 15-person touring team includes five Parliamentary Standing Committee members. However, this standing committee should monitor large ports and ensure accountability of port authorities. They should consider whether the authorities, including the port's chairman, manage ports effectively and responsibly.

Allegations of inefficiencies in the Chittagong administration are nothing new. Due to overcrowded shipping, improper unloading, lack of security and other reasons, the port is losing its reputation internationally. The port authorities did not address these shortcomings. Instead, they blamed everything on the imperfect infrastructure.

Just two weeks before his retirement, the fact that the chairman and others went abroad to "gain knowledge" shows that they did not really care about the port issue. Severe action should be taken to deal with the irresponsible and irresponsible attitude of the Chairs, such as Maharin Iqbal.

The general dilemma in the country's main seaport is unacceptable. The overall management level must be improved. This requires the appointment of effective, responsible and honest people. In order to overcome the shortage of port infrastructure, it is imperative to increase the number of vessels and terminals lighter.