MP Badal says govt officials did not respond to his call for Boalkhali oil removal

Chittagong MP Moinuddin Khan Badal has alleged in Parliament that he did not get ‘help’ from government officials when he tried to arrange for controlling the oil spill at Boalkhali.

He also sought two rulings from the Speaker on the issue.

Two wagons of a train carrying oil to a power plant in Chittagong fell off a bridge at Boalkhali on Thursday.

The oil from the tank-wagons spread to the Karnaphuli River, as the canal under the bridge is affected by tides. They are yet to be pulled out.

Local MP Badal expressed anger in Parliament over the ‘inaction’ of government officials to remove the oil.

“I went there immediate after the incident. When I asked the railways officials to take steps to stop oil spill, they said: ‘Sir, we don’t have anything to do’,” he said.

He suggested stopping the oil spill using banana plants and hay.

“Karnaphuli Port authority has a ship to remove oil. I called the chairman, but could not get him as it was a holiday,” he said.

“I’ve heard that they have gone to the Karnaphuli river today (Sunday). The port is only nine kilometres from the site of the accident,” the MP said.

“It took 72 hours to negotiate nine kilometres,” he added.

“I went to the area with my injured leg, and I am at least 10 years older to them. However, I could not see them there,” he continued.

Railways Minister Mazibul Hoque issued a statement over the matter under Rule 300 later.