Dhaka: The full-scale supply of fuel oil through the Dhaka-Chattogram oil pipeline is set to begin by the end of next month, as announced by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. This significant development was discussed during a meeting of a special parliamentary committee that was formed to address the current energy situation.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Parliament Secretariat released a press statement after the meeting, providing insights into the discussions. The meeting was presided over by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. During the session, the ministry presented ongoing projects aimed at ensuring energy supply, along with policies and guidelines for expanding renewable energy and assessing the overall sectoral situation.
The committee took the opportunity to review various aspects of the nation's ongoing energy challenges. Members of the committee shared their viewpoints and put forward recommendations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a three-month fuel oil stockpile, automating the energy sector, diversifying energy sources, and expanding renewable energy use.
Further discussions during the meeting highlighted the need to enhance the refining capacity of Eastern Refinery Limited, ensuring it can process crude oil from any global supplier. Meeting sources revealed that there were also discussions on encouraging private-sector investment in refinery establishments to boost fuel storage capacity. The issue saw consensus from both treasury and opposition members, with opposition members proposing the formation of a permanent expert committee on energy for long-term policy guidance.
The meeting also addressed the modernization of the policy framework concerning the establishment, operation, and management of filling stations. Updates on the Gas Marketing Rules 2014 were provided, along with the formulation of the Gas Marketing Rules 2026. Opposition lawmakers were invited to submit written recommendations to help tackle the current energy situation.
Finally, the committee resolved to submit a report to Parliament containing essential recommendations to address the emerging energy challenges. The meeting was attended by several key members, including State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Whips ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan and Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu, BNP MP Moinul Islam Khan, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmakers Md Saiful Alam, Md Nurul Islam and Md Abdul Baten, National Citizen Party MP Md Abul Hasnat, and Khilafat Majlis lawmaker Mohammed Abul Hasan.