The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

Speakers at a seminar here today strongly advocated for formulation of a comprehensive policy and its strict execution side by side with undertaking measures for the ship breaking industry to check human casualty and lessen the environment pollution in the country.

They said the ship breaking industry has been contributing significantly towards the national economy, but its negative affect on marine environment and resources as well as human casualty are more grievous.

In this respect, the speakers stressed the need for updating the existing laws and proper compliance of the local and international regulations to restore discipline in this vital sector through upholding the workers' rights and using modern technologies in ship dismantling. Prestigious English Daily 'The Indepe-ndent' and YPSA, a voluntary organisation, jointly arranged the seminar on "Human Cost and Environment Pollution due to Unregulated Ship Breaking Industry: An Immediate Solution" at Chittagong Press Club auditorium.

Former Adviser to the caretaker government and Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam was the chief guest while Professor Emeritus Dr. Jamal Nazrul Islam and Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Ashraf Shamim were special guests on the occasion.

Professor Shafiq Haider Chowdhury, Dr. Maruf Hossain and Nasrullah Bahadur of Chittagong University, Divisional Director of the Department of Environment Nazmul Haq, Joint Director of the Department of Labour Abdul Khaleque, Advocate Iftekhar Saimul Chow-dhury, Trade Union leaders A M Nazimuddin and Comrade Tapan Dutta, Journalists Abu Sufian, Mohammed Shah Nowaz and Nazimuddin Shayamol and ship breaking yard worker Suruj Meah, among others, took part in the discussion.

Chittagong Bureau Chief of The Independent Nurul Amin moderated the seminar while the executive of YPSA Mohammad Ali Shaheen presented a key-note paper on the background and present condition of the sector.

The discussants said the local officials must carry out a thorough physical inspection of any ship before it enters the Bangladesh water territory for dismantling. This kind of inspection will help identify materials, detrimental to human health and environment.

Besides, they called for cleaning these ships and freeing them from the toxic gases before declaring such vessels for scrapping.