One-stop service for Mongla port stressed

Dhaka: Launching of one-stop service has been suggested for ensuring transparency and accountability in the operation of Mongla Port.

The suggestion came when Shipping Minister Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Akbar Hossain addressed a gathering of the port workers on Thursday as chief guest.

The Minister urged officers and employees and members of the maritime council to undertake concerted efforts to regain the lost heritage of the port.

With Mongla Port Authority Chairman Mohammed Abu Taher in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Maritime Council Member and President of Khulna Chamber of Commerce Saharuzzaman Martuza, Port CBA President Muktar Hossain Khondker, General Secretary Abdur Razzak Mallick, Mongla Port Sramik Sangha General Secretary AKM Sahabuddin Ahmed and workers leader SM Abu Bakar Siddique.

Referring to the important contribution of Mongla Port to import and export business, the minister said to survive the current highly competitive free market economy the owners and the workers have to unitedly.

Earlier in the morning, the minister chaired the first meeting of Mongla Port Maritime Council in the conference room of the port authority.

Shipping Secretary Mohammed Rafiqul Islam, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Mohammed Abdul Malek, Port Authority Chairman Abu Taher, deputy secretary of the commerce ministry Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, Khulna Chamber of Commerce President Saharuzzaman Martuza, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khan Abu Syed, KCC Chief Engineer Liakat Ali Sharif and CBA President Muktar Hossain Mollah were, among others, present in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said the present four- party alliance government is committed to the development of the port. He said from now on the maritime council formed on the basis of the rules of origin will maintain direct contact with the government for the betterment of the port.