The government’s decision to hand over the country’s two important ports, Laldia and Pangao, to foreign corporations for the long term has now become the focal point of nationwide anger. Laldia has been given to a foreign company for 33 years and Pangao for 22 years, and the entire process was completed at such a pace that there was not even a hint of transparency. Is it normal to finalize such a major deal like Laldia within just two weeks? National assets like ports are being handed over to foreigners without consulting the public, local businesses, or stakeholders.
The main reason for public outrage is that this is not an ordinary agreement; it is a decision that hands over the control of the country’s future, logistics, economy, and trade to others. Questions are being raised: under the guise of development, is this actually a long-term plan to sell the country? More concerning are allegations of non-disclosure clauses in the agreement. In other words, the public will not even know under what conditions the country’s assets have been “transferred.” Deciding the future of national assets while keeping citizens in the dark hardly seems responsible.
If national ports are controlled by foreigners, it could directly affect business and trade, imports and exports, rent, and charges. The country’s logistics companies and workers are already worried that if foreigners control the ports, where will domestic capacity and the local market stand? Thirty-three years is almost one and a half generations long enough for a young employee to start a career and retire yet the port will be run by foreigners. The same applies to 22 years for Pangao. This period could become lost time for the nation.
I firmly believe that decisions of this nature should be reconsidered with public opinion, consultation with business people and relevant experts, and full disclosure of all contract details, giving the country’s interests and control the highest priority. To extend personal power or please foreign masters through a country-opposing contract is unacceptable; canceling this agreement is a matter of urgency.
Author: Abul Kalam Asif
Former Political Activist, Bangladesh Chhatra League