Costly car parts being stolen from Mongla port

Reconditioned car importers have alleged that different parts of their imported vehicles are being stolen from the country's Mongla sea port costing them dearly. They blamed the authorities for their “negligence” to maintain security in the port and stop thefts. According to them, some of the port staff are behind the theft and irregularities. Importers said insects like rats are also infiltrating into the vehicles and causing damage to different parts. They said the cars were also parked randomly at the sheds, which caused scratches on the car bodies. “We are losing Tk30,000-Tk100,000 a car due to irregularities and negligence of the Mongla port authorities,” said Habibullah Dawn, president of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (Barvida). “It (the loss) has increased significantly in last five months. Last month, a company had to buy parts worth Tk3,50,000 for its 16 cars,” he said. In Chittagong sea port, a car shed is yet to open although 10 months have passed after launching. Barvida sent two separate letters to Chittagong Port Authority and Mongla Port Authority seeking immediate actions against the flaws in services. The letters signed by Barvida president were sent to MPA Chairman Commodore AKM Faruque Hasan on March 18 and CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed on March 28. According to Barvida, expensive parts of imported cars such as brand logo, looking glasses, air-conditioners, SD cards and other parts are being stolen from Mongla port during the car shifting time from ships to car sheds. Barvida asked the Mongla port authorities to provide them with online banking facilities. The dealers demanded a change in daily schedules of car delivering. MPA Chairman Commodore AKM Faruque Hasan said: “We are about to install 30 CCTV cameras at the port to ensure security. Surveillance will be increased to stop stealing of parts.” He blamed inadequate manpower as one of the main reasons behind such incidents. He said currently the Mongla port has 1,200 workers while it needs 2,929. Another letter which was sent to CPA said the newly constructed car shed with the capacity of 900 cars at Chittagong port has not been functional yet though it was formally inaugurated on May 7, 2016. Md Zafar Alam, member (admin and planning) of CPA said: “We could not start operation (of the new shed) as Bangladesh railway authorities did not provide any land for the 20 feet road at the adjoining areas of the shed.” “This is not our responsibility any more as we have handed it over to customs. The customs has the authority to declare the car shed as bonded warehouse and operate it,” he said. The car importers and dealers have urged port authorities to in car carrier facilities to ensure security in car carrying and reducing risk of losses in accidents.