C T Online Desk: Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Jute and Textiles, has said that the government will form a high-level investigation committee to probe the recent accidents involving two vessels of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC).
The committee, led by the additional secretary of the Ministry, will consist of 10 experts tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
During a briefing at the BSC office on Sunday, adviser emphasized the importance of the investigation to eliminate any doubts and ascertain the true events.
He urged the public to await the results of the inquiry before drawing conclusions.
The adviser said that a fire had broken out on the vessels, necessitating an assessment of safety protocols.
Unrefined oil would be transferred from the vessel “Banglar Sourav” and that he had advised the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to enhance terminal capacity, he added.
In response to media inquiries, Hossain revealed that he was notified of the “Banglar Sourav” incident shortly after it occurred, keeping him informed of developments.
He expressed condolences for the loss of life, noting that one individual had died due to trauma after jumping into the water during the fire, rather than from burns.
Hossain elaborated on the rapid response from the Navy, Coast Guard, and Port Authority, which prevented a potential disaster that could have blocked the channel. He confirmed that ongoing communication with naval and port authorities was maintained throughout the emergency.
On the procurement of ships, Hossain addressed concerns regarding a previous deal with China, stating that a team is investigating the situation and working to establish fair pricing.
He acknowledged the challenges in tracking down potential corruption but assured that all relevant documentation would be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation.
Looking ahead, he said that BSC’s fleet currently consists of only five operational vessels following the accidents. He expressed optimism about expanding the fleet and reducing corruption within the industry.
