SKOP protests decision to hand NCT to foreign operator, says 'movement will continue'

The Port Bachao Sangram Parishad and the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) have protested the approval of a draft agreement handing over the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to an international operator. The two organisations said the government took this decision "keeping the nation in the dark" amid their ongoing movement.

Humayun Kabir, one of the coordinators of the Port Bachao Sangram Parishad, said on Thursday evening, "The government took this decision keeping the nation in the dark. Our movement will continue."

He said they have long been protesting on the matter. From the protest rally on September 27 too, they sought the opportunity to hold discussions with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Shipping Minister. However, he claimed that opportunity was not given.

The Port Bachao Sangram Parishad has announced a protest programme and protest procession at the Shaheed Minar on Road No. 12 of Chattogram Port Colony on Saturday afternoon in protest of the decision to hand over the operation of NCT to a foreign operator.

Humayun Kabir said, "Our movement will continue. Our protest programme and protest procession will be held at the Shaheed Minar on Road No. 12 of Port Colony on Saturday afternoon."

He further said, "There is still time and opportunity. Our appeal to the government is that they should step back from this decision."

Meanwhile, leader of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad and divisional general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, said the next programme will be announced at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club at 11am on Saturday.

He said, "We condemn today's decision. We are requesting the Prime Minister to cancel this decision."

The government decided on Thursday to hand over the operation of NCT to a foreign operator, amid a long-running movement by port workers and employees. On that day, a notification from the Ministry of Finance said the draft agreement handing over the responsibility of NCT to an international operator was approved.

However, the Ministry of Finance's notification did not mention which foreign operator is being given the responsibility of operating the NCT. From the beginning, there has been discussion about leasing the NCT to Dubai-based company DP World.