Speakers at a discussion on Wednesday stressed the need for formulation of an effective national policy and framing the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) in line with the policy in order to ensure good governance in the power and energy sector.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (BAPA) jointly organized the discussion titled “Challenge for Good Governance in Coal and LNG Power Projects in Bangladesh: What to Do for Ensuring Integrity in IEPMP formulation” in the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, said a press release.
The speakers said the policy framework of the country’s energy sector is largely held hostage to investors and donors concerned due to the implementation of its plans and projects depends on donors, local and foreign investors in many cases.
Due to legal weakness, policy framework and lack of transparency, the use of fossil fuels is harming the country and its people. But no significant steps are seen to control it despite of the government’s commitment in the field of renewable energy, they said.
The speakers said it’s necessary to formulate an effective national policy and IEPMP in light of the policy to ensure good governance in the power and energy sector.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Changes Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP spoke at the function as the chief guest, while TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman delivered the welcome speech.
Director General of Power Cell under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer Mohammad Hossain, Honorary Professor of Geology Department at Dhaka University Badrul Imam,
Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Research Director of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Khandaker Golam Moazzem, Dean of the Engineering Faculty at Daffodil University Professor Shamsul Alam also spoke in the panel discussion moderated by BAPA general secretary Sharif Jamil.
Source: United News of Bangladesh