The proposed long-term lease of Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) to Dubai-based DP World has triggered fresh protests, with labour and political leaders warning that handing over the terminals to a foreign operator could undermine national economic and strategic interests.
The Bondar Rokkha Committee staged a protest rally in the city on Monday, demanding immediate cancellation of the proposed lease. The committee also announced a sit-in programme in front of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) headquarters on 5 October.
The procession began at around 11:00am from the Barik Building intersection. Following a rally there, the protesters marched towards the port, chanting slogans against the proposed lease and calling for the protection of Chattogram Port as a national asset.
Addressing the rally, leaders of different labour organisations and political parties said NCT and CCT are strategically important facilities and should not be handed over to a foreign company through a long-term arrangement without ensuring the country’s economic and strategic interests.
Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram District Committee of the Trade Union Centre (TUC), said Chattogram Port is one of the main pillars of Bangladesh’s economy and foreign trade.
“Handing over the port’s crucial terminals to a foreign company can never serve the national interest,” he said.
He said any decision on the proposed lease must take into consideration national interests, workers’ rights and national security.
AM Nazim Uddin, president of the Chattogram Divisional Committee of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said the port should not be viewed merely as a commercial facility.
“It is a strategic installation directly linked to the country’s economy, national interests and sovereignty,” he said.
Labour leader Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar said a decision cannot genuinely serve the public interest if it conflicts with the country’s economic interests.
Instead of transferring key infrastructure to foreign operators, he said, the government should strengthen the CPA’s own capacity, introduce modern technology and recruit skilled personnel.
Delwar Majumder, convener of the Bondar Rokkha Committee, described NCT and CCT as “golden geese” that generate significant benefits for the country.
“A vested interest group is trying to swallow the entire goose. In the national interest, we will not accept such a move under any circumstances,” he said.
Delwar said the council had previously sought the government’s attention through peaceful programmes but had received no effective response.
The committee said the 5 October sit-in at the CPA headquarters would be the next major programme in its campaign against the proposed leasing of NCT and CCT.
