Home ›› 03 Dec 2022 ›› Nation
A Tk 13 crore fish landing centre at Mahipur of Patuakhali is yet to begin operation even after a year of its inauguration.
Local fishermen allege that interference of unscrupulous traders and lack of coordination with the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) are to blame for the centre’s unused state.
In 2012, the BFDC took the initiative to construct two fish landing centres in the Alipur and Mahipur unions of Patuakhali for unloading, processing, preserving, and marketing fish in a clean environment. After four years in 2016, the construction work started with a budget of Tk 13 crore.
A platform and gangway for unloading fish from trawlers were constructed as part of the project. The centre also includes an auction area of 1,000 square feet, a packaging area, a storage room, an ice mill, a generator room, an office building, sewage treatment facilities, and a truck stand of 7,000 square feet for transporting fish.
The centres were finally inaugurated by Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on September 20, 2021.
The fish landing centre in Alipur union began operation immediately. However, the other one in Mahipur remains locked and closed off to this day.
Local fisherman Atik said sometimes the fishers use the space to mend their nets and fishing equipment but the rest of the time it remains closed off.
“The government made this for our benefit but that is not possible if it remains closed. We demand the centre to be operational soon so we can make use of it,” he said.
Raju Ahmed Raja, General Secretary of the Mahipur Fishery Owners Association said, “There are 82 fish fishery owners in Mahipur but there is space for only 40 people to gather at the centre. We want to conduct our business there but we cannot do so due to the lack of space.”
He also said the fish unloading centre is about one kilometre away from the highway and the connecting road is too narrow for two trucks to go by each other.
“The centre was constructed based on statistical data from 2002-2003, which is why they did not account for the increased number of fishery owners. I have held several meetings with the BFDC authorities and highlighted the problem,” Raju said, adding that he expects the authority will take necessary steps.
Acting Manager of Mahipur Fish Landing Centre Shakil Ahmed said the centre is yet to be fully operational due to various reasons.
“BFDC authorities have had several meetings with the leaders of the fishery owners association about traders coming to the centre to conduct their business. However, they have yet to come to an agreement,” he said.
