A parliamentary committee has called for stronger security, improved operational management and greater financial accountability at the country’s three major seaports, highlighting concerns over missing containers, longstanding audit objections and the use of public funds.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings made the recommendations at its fifth meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday, chaired by Chief Whip and committee chairman Nurul Islam Moni.
The meeting reviewed the financial management, operational activities and audit reports of Chattogram, Mongla and Payra port authorities, with particular emphasis on preventing the misuse of public money, resolving outstanding audit objections and ensuring accountability among the officials concerned.
The committee also discussed security and management concerns at Chattogram Port following a report published in a national daily under the headline, “Containers full of goods disappearing one after another, security risks at Chattogram Port”.
It stressed the need for effective measures to strengthen port security and management, clear auctionable containers and vehicles that have remained at the port for a long time, improve coordination between Customs and port authorities, and resolve existing operational bottlenecks, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.
The meeting also emphasised the need to strengthen digital management systems to improve transparency and efficiency in port operations.
Reviewing dredging activities, project implementation and related audit objections at Mongla and Payra ports, the committee stressed that projects must deliver their intended outcomes and public funds must be used appropriately.
It recommended identifying those responsible and taking necessary action under the relevant rules if irregularities or financial losses were found during project implementation.
The committee also discussed the recovery of matured fixed deposits held by Chattogram Port Authority in various banks, alongside measures to settle longstanding audit objections involving the three port authorities.
It called for effective safeguards to protect public funds, better project planning and stronger accountability in financial management.
Committee members and Whips Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, along with Mst Tahsina Rushdir, Khondoker Abu Ashfaque, Mohamed Koysor Ahmed, Biswas Jahangir Alam, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, Muhammad Nazibur Rahman and Mohammed Kamal Hossain, attended the meeting.
The Comptroller General of Accounts, Additional Comptroller General of Accounts, Shipping Ministry Secretary, officials from the ministry and the Parliament Secretariat, and representatives of the port authorities concerned were also present.