Previous fascist govt's import-dependent policy caused energy crisis: Saki
He says the government expects measures on gas extraction, renewables and fuel reserves to bring results within 1 to 1.5 years.
The current energy crisis stems from the previous "fascist" government's import-dependent power and fuel policy, while the ongoing international conflict has made it more difficult to bring fuel, Planning Minister Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said today (28 August).
"We [the government] are taking medium-term measures to address the gas and electricity shortages. We expect to get the benefits within one to one-and-a-half years," he said at a seminar at Cumilla Town Hall on the concept papers for the Dhaka-Cumilla alternative highway and the Kotbari AHK Satellite City.
The minister said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had also created challenges for fuel supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, making it harder to secure energy from global markets.
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"We are working to extract our own gas, expand renewable energy for power generation, build fuel reserves and bring gas from fields already discovered in places such as Bhola into production," Saki said.
He said the government, including the prime minister and relevant ministries, is working on the measures.
The minister also said higher global energy prices caused by the conflict had forced Bangladesh to spend an additional Tk40,000 crore, creating financial pressure while gas supplies remained inadequate.
Speaking about the proposed alternative highway, he said the previous fascist government had used development as a tool to establish its legitimacy after remaining in power for 15 years without people's consent.
"But what development did they deliver? People in Cumilla cannot even cross from one side of the highway to the other. This reflects a lack of planning," he added.
He also said proper planning meant ensuring that major projects did not overlook smaller but essential facilities affecting people's daily lives.
The government had a responsibility to build development projects in a planned and democratic manner following the 2024 July Uprising, he added.
Presenting the main concept paper, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury said another highway was urgently needed to ease pressure on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
The proposed highway would help develop the northern part of Cumilla and contribute to agricultural and industrial growth, he added.
