No fuel shortage in country, two more shipments to arrive March 9: Energy Minister

Bangladesh has no shortage of fuel and two more fuel-carrying ships are scheduled to arrive at the country’s ports on March 9, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Saturday.

“There is no chance of a fuel shortage but since a war is ongoing, we have to plan and manage carefully and maintain austerity,” he said. UNB News

The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon.

He said a rationing system has been introduced as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing war to ensure fuel reserves remain sufficient.

“Fearing rationing, some people have even started storing fuel in advance,” he said.

The minister urged citizens not to panic or hoard fuel since the country has adequate reserves.

Tuku said the government has taken all necessary steps to maintain supply and asked people to buy fuel only as needed.

He said mobile courts will start operations from Sunday at petrol pumps to prevent irregularities in fuel distribution.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon, among others, were present during the briefing.