Bangladesh PM Vows to Resolve Gas, Power Crisis Through Immediate Measures

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman acknowledged the hardships people are facing due to ongoing gas and electricity shortages in Bangladesh. Speaking at a discussion marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, he said that the government is working continuously to resolve the problems through both immediate and long-term measures.

The prime minister detailed a series of initiatives to increase gas supply and restore electricity generation disrupted by years of neglect in the sector. He alleged that the previous 'fascist' government had treated the energy sector as a means of plundering, leaving it in a fragile state after years of corruption and mismanagement.

The government is also trying to arrange gas supplies for around eight power plants that are currently unable to operate because of fuel shortages. If gas can be supplied to those plants, about 4,000 megawatts of electricity can be added to the national grid within three to four hours, Tarique Rahman said.

The prime minister expressed hope that the country will see positive results from exploration work in areas with potential gas and oil reserves after the government has decided to procure two drilling rigs for the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex).