Port projects execution fears delayed over alleged corruption

Chittagong: Officials of Shipping Ministry and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), and a certain quarters having political links are allegedly involved in corruption while awarding contracts for implementation of three port projects.

The projects are New Mooring Container Terminal Private Operation, construction of New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Karnaphuli River Dredging and Marine Drive (KRDMD).

The CPA has assigned one its official - MA Sabur -- for two projects as Director for serving their interest. At the same time the official is also working as a deputy project director of New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).

The work on the NCT project that started in February in 2003 is still in progress and the tentative deadline for commissioning has been set for September this year.

Port insiders said an official can not hold charge of more than one job.

The CPA has abruptly changed the terms and conditions of tender for the project titled Karnaphuli River Dredging and Marine Drive (KRDMD) and awarded the contract to one China-based construction company only to serve the purpose of the vested quarters.

Six international firms had submitted financial and technical offers for the KRDMDP, but only two of them were allowed to send quotations through a last minute amendment to the terms and conditions by the CPA in March last.

CPA hired China Harbour, which defeated MT Hojgaard of Denmark in the bidding.

Sources at the Chittagong port said the CPA has enhanced the KRDMDP cost by more than three times simply for embezzling fund in connivance with officials of the ministry. Earlier, the project cost of the KRDMDP was fixed at Tk 720 million, but the project cost now stands at Tk 2.5 billion. The project is now awaiting approval of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).

'How could the CPA appoint a contractor prior to the approval of the Development Project Proforma (DPP) by the ECNEC'? questioned one senior CPA official Thursday.

The CPA had also violated the existing rules relating to project proforma (PP) for the much hyped NCT private operation with the ill-motive when it tried to give the job to a particular international company.

The CPA in connivance with high officials at the Shipping Ministry had made the PP for the NCT private operation without the consent of the planning wing of the same Ministry.

'The Ministry can not approve such PP without the consent of its planning wing. They probably did it for offering the contract of NCT private operation project to a particular company,' said an official of the Ministry on the condition of anonymity.

Member (Engineering) of the CPA Md Lutful Kabir Friday said the port authority has appointed one engineer for the two big projects for lack of required skilled manpower.

He said The CPA has expanded the KRDMD project for development of the port. 'All the moves were taken for the three specific projects in the light of decisions of the CPA board meeting,' he added.