PM expresses regret over electricity woes

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sincerely expressed regret over the ongoing suffering of the people due to severe electricity and gas crises across the country, while assuring that the crisis will be overcome as quickly as possible.

He made these remarks while addressing a program held at the T&T ground in Mohakhali, Dhaka, which featured a doa-munajat and the distribution of grants among helpless and impoverished people on the occasion of the 82nd birth anniversary of the late BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Saturday (August 15).

Addressing the national gas and electricity shortfall, the Prime Minister stated that the government never claims to have completed all development within six months, as such a feat is impossible. He alleged that the fascist government left behind debts of nearly 3 lakh crore takas specifically within the power sector alone.

Acknowledging the recent hardships faced by citizens, he said he is well aware that people across the country, including rural areas, rural towns, upazilas, and district cities, have been enduring electricity and gas sufferings over the past few days.

Regarding gas reserves and domestic exploration, Tarique Rahman pointed out that gas is a natural resource of Bangladesh, yet during the past 17 years, the authoritarian regime failed to drill a single new gas well or allow any to be drilled, instead handing the sector over to foreign entities.

The Prime Minister stated that after assuming office, the government decided to promptly drill gas wells on domestic soil through the state-run agency Bapex, ensuring that the control of the nation's gas resources remains in the hands of the people.

He noted that a large portion of gas currently has to be imported via ships from abroad, but over the past 15 years, only two storage facilities were arranged, which he claimed were set up in a manner that favored specific individuals.

Tarique Rahman claimed that an initiative for an additional vessel taken during the interim government was canceled, and an accident involving one of the existing two ships has further contributed to the current gas crisis.

Highlighting measures taken to resolve the issue, the Prime Minister announced that technical faults have already been repaired, expressing hope that the gas shortage will ease significantly within the next few days.

Reiterating his empathy regarding the power crisis, Tarique Rahman stated that he sincerely apologizes for the electricity hardships endured by the people of Bangladesh and assured that the government is actively working to alleviate the suffering as swiftly as possible.