Energy Minister conducts late-night depot inspection
Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku suddenly visited the Baghabari Oil Depot in Sirajganj at midnight.
On Friday, he left his residence around 12:00 AM. Even the policemen in charge of protocol did not know in advance about the destination of his visit. Later, Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam and Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam Santu began the journey with other administrative officials from the Circuit House. Still, no one knew where his destination was.
The minister reached the Baghabari Oil Depot around 1:15 AM after traveling about 60 km. At that time, the main gate of the depot was closed, but it was opened upon the police’s request. Soon after, the responsible officials quickly arrived at the site.
During the visit, the minister inspected the entire depot area and spoke with the concerned personnel.
The energy minister said, “We are supplying oil to all depots, and oil is being dispatched from them.
Yet, the market claims that the country has no oil. I discussed with the depot in charge how to distribute the oil evenly and instructed every in-charge to ensure that oil reaches every pump on time.
I do not want to hear complaints that there is no oil at the pumps. I have given clear instructions on how to ensure this. Hopefully, the supply of oil to every pump will return to normal from tomorrow.”
He also said, “This late-night visit to the depot was mainly to find out whether any syndicate is operating at the Baghabari Oil Depot and to provide a specific plan to stop smuggling.”
At that time, the minister directed law enforcement officials to investigate whether any syndicate is active in the Baghabari depot area and to take necessary measures.
Incidentally, fuel oil is supplied to pumps in 20 districts across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Mymensingh divisions from the Baghabari Oil Depot. Since the Iran war, oil has been supplied on a rationing system, resulting in an average distribution to 250-280 pumps per day.
