The inquiry
committee established on the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to probe
the Gadani incident has put the onus on the government departments and ship
owner. The Committee headed by Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer
Hussain has completed the report of Gadani ship-breaking yard incident and it
would be submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the upcoming Monday.
Addressing a
press conference, Rana Tanveer Hussain said that 26 people died and 56 others
got injured in the incident while there are rumours that three persons are
still missing. Though there is no reality in it, the ministry would publish an
advertisement in newspapers so that relatives of missing workers could contact
the ministry.
The minister
said that after thorough investigation, it has been revealed that the incident
happened due to the negligence of the government departments and the owner of
the ship. No Objection Certificate (NoC) had not been issued to the owner of
ship-breaking company from the relevant government departments but they started
work without official approval, said the minister, adding that the government
departments also failed to stop the company from working.
The minister
lamented that ship-breaking is generating Rs 12 billion annually; however,
there is no medical facility and fire extinguishing equipment around the
ship-breaking yard. The minister admitted lacunas in checking and balance
system, saying that ships which were rejected in India and Bangladesh are being
accepted in Pakistan. He further said that at the time of incident, the ship
was carrying 132 metric tonnes furnace oil, 1,100 metric tonnes sludge, 27
metric tonnes diesel, and 30,000 metric tonnes lubricants. The government has
suspended the officials of grade-19 and grade-20 who were found guilty of
negligence and strict action has been proposed against the culprits.
He further
said that an inquiry committee was set up on the directives of Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif to submit a detailed report within 15 days so that necessary
action could be taken to avoid such incidents in future.
The
committee, headed by him, was comprised of secretaries of the Cabinet, Defence
Production, and Ports and Shipping, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Additional
Secretary Defence and Managing Director Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.
Rana Tanveer said the committee visited Karachi and Gadani Shipyards and probed
various stakeholders, including the owner of ship, labour union representatives
and senior officials of different department.
The
officials along with the minister informed media that the provincial government
has announced Rs 0.5 million compensation for the heirs of every deceased and
Rs 0.3 million for every injured person. Replying to a query regarding the way
forward, Rana Tanveer said the committee has prepared two types of
recommendations, including short-term and long-term, to avoid such incidents in
future.
Rana Tanveer
said the committee has also proposed a separate ministry of maritime affairs in
the report. "The committee has also recommended formation of a board
headed by Chief Secretary Balochistan and having representatives from Karachi
Port Trust, Pakistan Navy and CBA Union, besides experienced persons, to take
all decisions regarding ship-breaking," he added.
Source: business
recorder. 12 November 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment