DHAKA: Worried over the existing gas crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a stocktaking meeting Sunday blasted the previous BNP government’s boastful claim that the country is floating on gas.      

“Why it was stated that the country was floating on gas?” she questioned, while discussing with officials at her Power and Energy Ministry office the latest situation of the country’s energy sector—prospects, problems and solutions.

“Earlier, I had heard the country was floating on gas, but, after assuming power, I see gas and energy crises.  Why then it was said the country was floating over gas?”  

Briefing the press after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad further said the Prime Minister blamed bother the past BNP and caretaker governments for the accumulated crises.  “No development works had been done in this sector in last seven years,” she said.

The prime minister gave directions to the Power Division of the ministry to take necessary steps for smooth supply of power to remove the problems of the devotees during Ramadan.

She also asked the authorities concerned to take initiatives for increasing gas production and, if necessary, to change policies for removing the impediments in this regard.

During her two-and-a-half hour office in the ministry, the premier thanked Power and Energy Divisions for the development in this sector in the last two years and asked the authorities concerned to take steps to expand renewable energy in the country.

“We presented an overall situation of gas sector to the Prime Minister and prepared a plan on increasing gas production for current fiscal year which will be placed in the Parliament,” said energy secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin.

The Prime Minister also gave directives to take initiative in increasing domestic use of LPG or cylinder gas and preparing a work plan at private level apart from the government for producing LPG.

She also asked for signing a PSC with multinational companies for gas exploration in the deep sea to mitigate the existing gas crisis of Chittagong.

The Power Secretary said, “We added 871 MW power to the national grid after taking office. Work-order has been issued for generating 2300MW while order for another 2500 MW is underway.”
 
In reply to a question about gas crisis during Ramadan, the press secretary told that the demand of gas in generating power during Ramadan will be 920 cubic feet.

Expressing hope that the power situation would be improved during Ramadan, he said “We’ll get more power before Ramadan and the situation be improved further.”

Among others, Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Energy Secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin were present in the briefing session.

Earlier, Prime Minister Hasina came to the ministry at about 11:15am. PM’s Energy Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury welcomed her.

BDST: 2130 HRS, AUG 8, 2010