Padma oil spotlight over fuel theft
In a major development in the petroleum sector, Padma Oil Company has come under scrutiny after 9,000 litres of jet fuel were reportedly being smuggled, according to a government intelligence agency. The consignment, seized from a tank lorry at the Patenga Aviation Depot in the Sagarika area, has raised serious concerns about security and accountability within the company.
On Monday, two individuals, along with the tank lorry carrying the fuel, were apprehended while attempting to sell the consignment. When questioned by law enforcement about the jet fuel, valued at approximately Tk 19.35 lakh, the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Subsequent verification with Padma Oil’s management confirmed that the shipment had been stolen and was being diverted for illicit sale. Following the revelations, Padma Oil took immediate action. The depot manager, duty officer, tank lorry driver, and an assistant have been suspended. Mir Mohammad Fakhruddin, General Manager of Human Resources and Administration at Padma Oil, announced the suspensions.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has formed a five-member investigation committee to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft. The committee is chaired by Muhammad Asadul Haque, Director (Planning) at Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Joint Secretary to the Government.
Other members include BPC General Manager Ferdousi Masum Himel, Padma Oil Deputy General Manager (Engineering and Planning) Mostaq Ahmed Chowdhury, BPC Deputy General Manager (Distribution and Marketing) Khandaker Sajbir Rahman, and Milton Roy, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The committee has been tasked with verifying the route, destination, and consignment documentation of the seized tank lorry, identifying those involved, and submitting a detailed report with recommendations to the ministry within three days.
The incident has triggered a stir across the petroleum sector, highlighting concerns about operational oversight and the potential for corruption in fuel distribution.
