Industrialisation after ensuring full-proof security: Chattogram DC

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman has urged all concerned to take efforts for industrialisation after ensuring full-proof security, including fire safety to avoid blasts, and fire incidents in industrial plants.

"There is no alternative to industrialisation for a country's economic development. However, the casualties in several major accidents in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila recently are very sad. From now on, we do not want to recurrence of such accidents," he said at a workshop held at Chattogram Circuit House on Monday

The District Administration, in association with GPH Ispat, arranged a day-long event for stakeholders of the sector regarding the fixation of an action plan to ensure safe management in oxygen plants in Chattogram.

Mohammad Fakhruzzaman, also the district magistrate, said, "We want to implement an action plan centering the Sitakunda industrial area. For this, we need the help of all concerned. To establish any industry or factory, the safety of workers, owners, and entrepreneurs must be the key priority.

"No industrial plant should be operated without complying with the law and ensuring overall safety. Everyone has to operate their plants within the rules. Safety monitoring should be increased in factories," he added.

He said one of the key pillars of economic development is workers. So, the safety of those workers as well as entrepreneurs' capital should be given importance.

Seven people died and several others were seriously injured in a tragic explosion at Seema Oxygen Plant in Sitakunda on 4 March. Eight months earlier, there was a major fire at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda. A fire broke out at the Unitex cotton warehouse on 11 March.

"In this situation, we want to adopt a master plan to prevent accidents at various places including Sitakunda and Mirsarai industrial zones. We also have to adopt a plan for Karnaphuli, Anwara, and Hathazari areas where Industries have also been established," the DC also said.

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Shahdat Hossain, GPH Ispat Ltd's AMD Almas Shimul, Adviser Colonel (retd) Shawkat Osman, and media adviser Ovik Osman also spoke at the event, presided over by Chattogram's Additional District Magistrate Rakib Hasan.

In the workshop, owners-workers, entrepreneurs, directors, and representatives of various oxygen plants, including Abul Khair Oxygen Ltd, KSRM Limited, Linde Bangladesh, Associated Oxygen Limited, Master Steel and Oxygen ltd, and Subedar Oxygen were also present.