Leadership crisis undermines energy self-sufficiency

Staff Reporter :
Energy expert Dr M Tamim on Friday said that leadership crisis is mainly responsible for failure to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
He also finds that Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation lacks transparency and accountability in their activities.
M. Tamim said, this at a shadow parliament organised by the Debate for Democracy in the capital, with its Chairman Hasan Ahmed Kiron in the chair.
“Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has not yet elaborately and clearly published the report about its subsidies and profits on energy. Failure of leadership is undermining the way to achieve self-sufficiency in energy,” Tamim said.
About the exploration of coal and gas, he said, “We are still far behind in the exploration of new coal and gas fields. We have to give emphasis on the proper utilisation of internal resources for achieving self-sufficiency in energy.”
He also underscored the need for ensuring good governance in energy management to cut the wastage of the resource.
Slamming the indemnity on the energy sector, this expert said, “Indemnity can be imposed during the crisis period. The indemnity is unnecessary now. Everyday 200 million cubic feet gas is stolen. If we can stop this pilferage, we don’t need to buy gas at a high price from the spot market.”
Tamim also suggested to lift the capacity cost during the renewal of agreement with the power companies.
Criticising the corruptions and money laundering, Kiron said, “The government should control money laundering, bank robbery, corruptions in mega projects before increasing the price of oil, gas and electricity.”
The government increased the price of water for 14 times, electricity price 12 times and gas price nine times in the last 12 years, he pointed out.
He was of the view that the government should harmonise the challenges of subsidies and the people’s interest.
“We need a system based on accountability. The government will seek expert opinions and people to determine the price of gas, oil and electricity,’ he added.
He further said, the consumers’ opinions have no reflection at the mass hearing of fixing gas, oil and electricity price. Such attitudes disappoint the citizens, he added.