Modern lighthouses and radio centres are going to be set up in seven spots across the country’s coastal areas as part of the global compliance of a UN Convention.
According to official sources, the Department of Shipping under the Shipping Ministry has taken up a move to set up the modern facilities under its project titled ‘The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and Integrated Maritime Navigation System (EGIMNS)’.
Official sources said the Shipping Ministry has taken up the project as part of the global compliance of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention where Bangladesh is a signatory.
Under the project, the existing three old lighthouses in the coastal areas would be modernised while four new lighthouses would be constructed. The old lighthouses are located in Saint Martin, Cox’s Bazar and Kutibdia.
The new four lighthouses will be set up at Nijhum Dwip in Noakhali, Dhalchar in Bhola, Kuakata in Patuakhali and at Dublarchar in Bagerhat district.
The project’s command and control system will be established in the capital city Dhaka in order to have a full-fledged monitoring over the marine operation in the country’s offshore areas.
Shipping Ministry officials said an amount of Tk 370.89 croree has been allocated for implementation of the project. A major part of the budget will be provided by the South Korean government.
South Korean Exim Bank will finance Tk 282.75 crore on behalf of its government while the remaining Tk 88.14 crore will be provided by the Bangladesh government.
A loan agreement has already signed between the Bangladesh government and the South Korean Exim Bank in this regard.
According to the officials, the project will enable the coastal lighthouses and the radio centres to establish a direct communication system with the operating vessels within Bangladesh maritime boundary.
So, these centres will play vital role in coordinating the rescue operation of passengers, maritime vessels and other related activities during any untoward maritime incidents, said a Shipping Ministry official.
He said the lighthouses and radio centres will also be able to send advance signal of probable storm to fishing trawlers and local and foreign ships in the coastal areas to help take safety measures if anybody falls in trouble or storm in the sea.
Now the government is now getting about Tk 10 crore as revenue from the existing three lighthouses. Once the new lighthouses come into operation, those will enhance the government’s revenue income as well.
The Shipping Ministry officials said they are going to appoint a consultant first to implement the GMDSS and EGIMNS project. ANSE Technologies, a South Korean firm was selected as consultant through a tender process for the project.
The proposal on the appointment of the consultant at a contract value of US$ 1.97 million was sent to the Cabinet Division for approval of the Cabinet Purchase Committee.
Earlier on March 11, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) gave the financial approval for the project.
Source: UNBConnect