HPM Sheikh Hasina inaugurates operation of Payra Port

"Payra Port will be a deep sea port in future, making the region a hub of economic activities," she said while inaugurating the activities of the port through a video conference from her Gonobhaban residence here on Saturday.

Minister for Shipping Shajahan Khan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizam Uddin Ahmed, secretary of the local union parishad chairman Humayun Mia and Chinese stone exporter Falix also spoke on the occasion from Kalapara, Patuakhali.

Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Ashoke Madhab Roy briefed about various aspects of the Port, which began operation with anchorage of MV Fortune Bird, a stone carrying ship from China for Padma Bridge.

Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of the country's third seaport at Ramnabad Channel under Kalapara upazila on November 19, 2013.

The port, once come to full operation, mother vessels with eight to ten meter drafts will be able to anchor helping loading and unloading of goods more quickly than Chittagong port, which now handles country's 92 percent export and import.

"The Payra Bandar has heralded a new era in the country's development with unloading of stones for Padma Bridge. It will immensely contribute to build a prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation," the prime minister said.

Sheikh Hasina said the month of August symbolizes as a month of tragedy in the life of Bangalees as this month witnessed many brutal incidents including the murder of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"I think the soul of the Father of the Nation would get soothe in his heavenly life seeing the development projects we have inaugurated today," the prime minister added.

Sheikh Hasina said the construction of the Payra Bandar is one of the integral part of her government's plan to make a prosperous Bangladesh. She said the southern part of the Bangladesh has always been neglected, and the Payra Port would help tap the huge potentiality of the region.

The prime minister said during her several visit to the southern part of the country she could conceive about the potentiality of the region. Taking into our consideration about the prospect, she said, the government has taken decision to construct the seaport at Payra in Ramnabad.

Sheikh Hasina said a naval base is being constructed in Payra and process is progressing to build a cantonment in the area. In addition some other projects are being taken for overall development of the area including shipbuilding, ship recycling, economic zone and power plant.

The Payra Port will also be connected with country's rail network; she said adding that the navigation route of the port would be extended up to Brahmaputra and Karimganj of Indian State of Assam through river dredging, creating trade and business opportunities for Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.

Responding to the demand of local Baliatali Union Parishad, the prime minister asked the authorities concerned to ensure local people getting fair price of their land which would be acquired for different projects.

Sheikh Hasina said the dream of the nation was shattered through the killing of Bangabandhu. "The killers wanted to thwart out progress of the nation and infuse frustration in people so that they can never stand as a victorious nation. The killers wanted to keep the nation under grip of poverty, repression and aggression," she said.

"Our goal is to keep alive the ideology of the Father of the Nation in our heart and materialize his dream and undo the heinous plot of the killers," she said.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol