No retreat on NCT agreement, workers must resume duties or face action: Shipping adviser

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has said the government would not backtrack on the lease of Chattogram Port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World, warning that strict action would be taken if port operations are obstructed.

"There is no scope to halt the NCT lease agreement with DP World, though I have conveyed my position on how the deal should be structured. I hope no terms will be imposed in the agreement," he said while speaking to reporters in front of the port building today (5 February).

The adviser further said workers' demands were under consideration, but stressed that port employees must return to work from tomorrow to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential goods ahead of Ramadan.

"If anyone tries to prevent others from joining work, the government will take a hard line," he said.

Sakhawat Hossain clarified that there was no undue haste in finalising the NCT agreement, noting that DP World representatives had been visiting the port for the past six months and that negotiations had been ongoing for around three months.

Terming the continued shutdown of the port "unacceptable and inhumane", he said no individual or group had the authority to paralyse port operations, particularly at a time when essential commodities are awaiting clearance.

On the ongoing High Court proceedings related to the lease, the shipping adviser said the government would fully comply with the court's verdict, reiterating that no agreement would be signed against national interests.

Earlier in the day, Sakhawat Hossain faced protests by port workers during his visit, with his convoy briefly held up for around 20 minutes.

He later held talks with a 14-member delegation of workers at the port and also met representatives of the Port Users' Forum at the Chattogram Boat Club as part of efforts to defuse the standoff.