Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Friday urged people not to elect candidates who might later have to flee the country to escape accountability.
He is calling instead for the election of individuals who would remain present and responsible for public service.
The adviser made the comments while visiting the drilling site of the Jamalpur-1 exploratory well in Madarganj around 3pm on Friday.
He expressed hope that the country would be able to conduct a successful and credible election.
The adviser added that the chief adviser had directed everyone concerned to ensure the fairest election in recent memory.
“Good election means voters can cast their votes, polling agents of various candidates can remain at polling centres, and vote counting takes place openly in front of all,” he said.
“We do not support any party. Whoever wins, we will welcome them. But if we fail to hold such an election, the consequences for our future will be grave,” he added.
On the Jamalpur-1 exploratory well, he said: “Previously, no one knew there was gas here. We have now found 5 mmcf of gas. Another well will be drilled three kilometres from here. The findings from that will provide a clearer picture.”
He said a 2D and 3D seismic survey would be conducted again to further confirm the prospects.
“We will not waste the gas found here. A mobile processing plant will be brought in, as raw gas from the well cannot be used directly and needs refining,” he said.
“Since this site does not require a large investment at this stage, if a significant deposit is confirmed, we’ll proceed accordingly. The refined gas will be used to support local industries,” he added.
Power Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, Bapex Managing Director Md Fazlul Haque, Petrobangla Chairman Rezanur Rahman, Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Hasina Begum, and Project Director of the Jamalpur-1 exploratory well Md Mozammel Haque were present at the event, along with other officials.
Following the inspection, Adviser Fouzul Kabir held a meeting with the officials involved in the drilling project.
State-owned Bapex first identified the presence of gas in the Tartapara area of Madarganj, Jamalpur, in 1980.
A seismic survey was carried out in the 2014–15 fiscal year, followed by a close-grid survey in 2015–16.
Based on data analysis, Bapex launched the Jamalpur-1 exploratory drilling project on January 24 this year, with an estimated cost of Tk168 crore.