5 establishments including Syedpur Airport at security risk.
Several important establishments in the country are required to ensure maximum security. That is why they have been included in KPI (Key Performance Indicator). However, some government establishments including Syedpur Airport in Nilphamari district are included in KPI, but security risks have arisen due to non-compliance with rules.
Excluding the case of Syedpur Airport, major casualties might take place at any moment as some government requirements aimed at guaranteeing safety at Nilphamari Palli Bidyut Samity, Bangladesh Locomotive and Wagon Workshop of Syedpur and Telephone Exchange of Neyamatpur were being disobeyed. There are many directions given from various corners taking these concerns as its background, and in accordance, authorities have done little.
This has been revealed in a report that has come out recently from a special intelligence agency of the country. The report, which was sent to the office of the Chairman of the CAA and several other departments earlier this month, highlighted several observations regarding the security of Syedpur Airport and called for immediate action.
The airport area is very sensitive, said aviation officials. That is why it has been included in the KPI. The country’s reputation relates to the security of the airport. Despite highlighting the observations of the intelligence report and talking about measures,
Not acting itself is a crime. Moreover, the intelligence report needs to be taken into consideration urgently and implemented with regard to other important installations of the state, failing which a major accident can occur anytime. For this, we have to be alert in advance.
But the Syedpur Airport authority claimed, there is no security weakness here. Whatever should be done as a KPI-listed area, that has been done.
The intelligence report mentions that security and reputation are related to proper security of KPI. After investigation, flaws and deviations were found in the security system of important installations in Nilphamari district. In the present context, immediate action is needed on these issues.
The latest recommendations from a survey called for steps in the interest of security, but so far the authorities have taken no initiative. This survey had established that the access to the VIP Gate of Syedpur Airport is weak, and there was no evacuation plan chalked out while the workers have not been trained on safety by the NSI. Other than that, no system of pass exists in entering sensitive areas and bushes alongside the boundary wall are uncleaned.
The intelligence report on the progress of the investigation reports that at the Syedpur power plant, the vegetable garden has not been uprooted, there is no scanner machine/archway gate, and no vetting by the NSI. Gas is not used by hanging. There is no surveillance on the installations under the gun range. Apart from this, there is no SOP during disasters as per the policy.
Meanwhile, boundary wall, archway gate and evacuation plan according to policy exist around Nilphamari Palli Bidyut Samity establishment. Again, intelligence clearance of workers is yet to be ensured and barbed wire fencing is not yet installed on the wall. The place has no departmental security guards, the employees do not get safety training by NSI, it has no evacuation plan.
On the other hand, the boundary wall of the Saidpur Telephone Exchange is low, and the security guards do not properly perform their duties; therefore, people and animals enter the establishment freely. Again, there is no evacuation plan, visitor registrar, security guard post. Again, the workers are not vetted by the intelligence and a Y-shaped barbed wire fence has not been constructed on the boundary wall.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Locomotive and Wagon Workshop also does not have an archway gate or a scanner. No body frisking is done with hand metal detectors. The workers are not vetted. No safety training by NSI has been imparted. There is no barbed wire fence and SOP on the boundary wall. Besides that, no vigilance team inspections or regular meetings of the security committee take place. Again, the annual report is not sent. The intelligence report said a letter has been sent to the concerned department for prompt action in these matters.
Saidpur Airport Manager AKM Bahauddin Zakaria said, “The current security arrangement in Saidpur Airport is very good. The things that have been mentioned in the intelligence report – those are previous observations. All of those have been implemented. They have to send reports as per routine, so maybe they have sent the previous report. There is no security risk at this airport.”
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