Dhaka: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit today stressed the need for careful planning and evidence-based selection of projects to prevent the waste of public money. He made the remarks during two separate meetings at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the first meeting was held at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, where a committee was formed to recommend measures to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the country's energy and electricity systems. Amit highlighted the importance of a comprehensive, data-driven map to identify the location and types of mineral resources across Bangladesh. He urged officials to develop an integrated framework by consolidating fragmented data from various agencies, facilitating better coordination and effective planning.
Addressing senior officials, Amit stressed the need for a clear assessment of regional energy demand and supply. He emphasized identifying existing constraints and taking prompt measures, underscoring the importance of proper utilization of the country's natural resources.
During the second meeting focused on unapproved projects under the Power Division, Amit reviewed presentations by officials, emphasizing the necessity of evaluating each project's justification and potential public benefit. Citing past wastefulness due to unplanned projects, he insisted that such practices should not be repeated. He instructed officials to present comprehensive data for proposed projects and to swiftly enhance the power and energy sector's capacity.
Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh and senior officials of the Power Division and its affiliated companies attended the meeting.