Sensing “irregularities” in a Tk435 crore project, the parliamentary watchdog on Shipping Ministry yesterday alleged that the chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority was conspiring to put the government into discomfort.
The parliamentary standing committee on Shipping Ministry, which formed a subcommittee to investigate the causes of the delay in starting the New Mooring Container Terminal in Chittagong Port, unanimously concluded that Chairman Rear Admiral Nizam Uddin Ahmed had violated the terms of service by giving an interview with newspapers.
The committee observed that the chairman’s interview was apparently aimed at obstructing its move to inquire into the irregularities in the construction of the container terminal.
In his interview with a few newspapers, Nizam alleged that there was a “serious conspiracy plot” over the Chittagong port, saying the port would face container congestion unless the New Mooring Container Terminal could start operation soon. He also said there could be a negative impact on the export-import trade.
Taking the interview seriously, the committee had a special meeting yesterday and said the CPA attempted to hurriedly start the function of the container terminal allegedly to hamper the inquiry of the parliamentary subcommittee.
“The chairman is hatching a conspiracy to put the government into uncomfortable situation [through his statement],” Abdul Hye, a member of the standing committee, told reporters after the meeting at the parliament building.
“His accountability lies with the government; but the way he talked has frustrated us,” said Hye flanked by committee chairman Major (retd) Rafiqul Islam, a former home minister.
The standing committee members on June 1 and 2 visited the Chittagong Port and expressed anger at the operation of the country’s main port.
“We will examine whether the chairman has made such statement for our visit to the port. He talked about the New Mooring Container Terminal; we also want the container terminal to operate,” said Hye. The BNP-Jamaat government in 2004 started the construction that was completed in 2007. But the terminal is yet to go into operation.
“There are of course hidden reasons for which he has been trying to start the operation of the container terminal hurriedly”.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan who was supposed to answer to the questions of the MPs did not attend the meeting as he was on an overseas tour.
“The statement the port chairman had given is a violation of his terms in service. Being a public servant under the ministry, he cannot give any interview with media without prior permission from the ministry,” Rafiqul Islam told reporters.
“He has been trying to confuse the people by propagating negative statements,” he said.
The chairman said the government had been trying to increase export-import trade, but the chairman talked negative.
“The committee has censured the port chairman. He has been making such statements as the parliamentary committee has been inquiring into the activities of the Chittagong Port,” Abdul Latif, a committee member elected from port area, told media. He said the port chairman had talked about implementing ‘his vision’ about the port.
“The prime minister and the government are the authorities for plans; public servants’ duty is to execute the plans. The port chairman has bypassed the prime minister and the government.”
Replying to a question on whether the watchdog would summon the port chairman, Rafiqul told reporters: “We will not summon him; he is a public servant under the ministry. We will seek clarification from the ministry in this regard.”