Dhaka, Feb 02 (V7N) — The agreement to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port to DP World is still under process, said Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping and Labor and Employment, on Monday. He assured that the agreement would be in the country’s favor, otherwise it would not proceed.

Responding to questions from media personnel at the Secretariat, Dr. Hossain said, “The government is not working against national interests. Even then, I do not know in whose interest the movement is being held.”

He added that port employees are creating a deadlock, causing significant losses to the country, and it is unclear who will bear the cost of these disruptions, especially with the elections and the month of Ramadan approaching. The advisor clarified that the transfer of the NCT has nothing to do with the employees’ strike and instructed the port chairman to take necessary action.

Meanwhile, the protest at Chittagong Port entered its third day, as workers continue to oppose leasing the NCT to a foreign operator. The Bandar Raksha Sangram Parishad has announced a 24-hour strike from February 3 if the government does not withdraw the decision.

In response, the port authority has transferred 16 workers to Pangaon Port for creating unrest. Additional police forces have been deployed, and meetings and gatherings have been banned in the port area to maintain order.

END/SMA/AJ