Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the power, energy and mineral resources affairs adviser to the prime minister, has urged the mass media to not criticise the government till December, at the end of which the 11th general election is scheduled to be held.
Instead, he suggests, the media should now highlight the government’s success stories across the country with the polls nearing fast.
“I know it is the professional duty of the media to do constructive criticism. But for the two months, please focus on the achievements and developments we have bagged and made in different sectors, including communications and education.
“After the election, you can go back to being critical of the government,” Tawfiq suggested while addressing a press briefing organized by the Power Division at Bidyut Bhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Referring to development projects initiated in different sectors in the last 10 years, he said: “If the Hasina administration does not assume office again, such progresses will not continue.”
“Private investors used to avoid the power sector due to staggering system loss back in 1996. Then again, we braved the adverse situation by inviting independent power producers,” he said, giving credit to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
At the briefing, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu also said that apart from working for 100% power coverage by December 2019, the government was now eyeing uninterrupted supply and quality service of electricity.
“This why we are now focusing on addressing the fuel oil crisis and importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a part of the plan.”
Saying that Bangladesh has started getting 200mmcfd regasified LNG, Nasrul expressed his hope that another 200mmcfd gas will be added to the national grid in the next two months, reducing Dhaka’s gas crisis significantly.
Additional 500mmcfd of LNG will also be pumped through the national network in a year, hoped Nasrul, adding that the government was now mulling a long-term plan for the power and energy sector as the mid-term one was executed.
At the end of this year, there will be 94% power coverage in the country, he said, and claimed that currently there were 315 upazilas with 100% access to electricity.
Responding to a query about the recent hike in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the trend among LPG traders to cash in by taking advantage of the situation, he said the government was working on a regulatory body that would be tasked with LPG pricing and market monitoring.
Asked about his ministry’s stance on the complaints of irregularities by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, Nasrul said they were taking stern actions about the officials accused.
PM to open seven power plant projects
At Wednesday’s press meet, Power Division Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday will inaugurate seven power plant projects with a combined 1,085 MW capacity and 100% electrification in 102 upazilas.
Through a videoconference from Ganabhaban in Dhaka, she will also lay the foundation stone of a 400MW power plant at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria and the main office building of Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited in the capital, he said.
The premier will lay the foundation stone of a 16km pipeline installation project to supply Jet A-1 fuel from Pitolganj (near Kanchan Bridge) to Kurmitola Aviation Depot as well. The project cost has been estimated at Tk228.49 crore.
Energy Secretary Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem, BangladeshPower Development Board Chairman Khaled Mahmood, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board Chairman Maj Gen Moin Uddin and Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain were also present at the press briefing.
