Dhaka: Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood announced on Thursday that gas supply to the Ashuganj fertiliser factory will resume from May 1, prioritising the agricultural sector despite potential impacts on electricity generation. The decision was revealed during a parliamentary session, where the minister emphasised the crucial role of agriculture in the national economy.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the announcement came in response to a motion brought by independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2, who has been advocating for household gas connections in her constituency. The motion received support from ten other MPs, who also urged for the inclusion of their respective upazilas in the gas supply network.
Rumeen Farhana highlighted the struggles faced by residents in the Brahmanbaria district, where gas is extracted but locals suffer from inadequate gas facilities. She pointed out that even in areas like Sarail with existing residential connections, gas pressure is critically low. Residents face a severe shortage from morning until afternoon, with flames barely flickering and gas often disappearing for the rest of the day, particularly during the winter months.
She also raised concerns over illegal connections and insufficient monitoring due to manpower shortages. Despite the halt on new residential connections since 2016, illegal supplies have been facilitated, depriving the government of revenue and impacting legitimate users. Many people have resorted to using clay stoves, LPG cylinders, and electric cookers, despite high LPG prices.
The independent lawmaker stressed that the living standards in rural areas have significantly improved, with more people residing in flats and pucca houses, making traditional stoves impractical. She noted that the official price of an LPG cylinder is 1940 taka, but consumers often pay no less than Tk 2,200.
In her motion, Rumeen Farhana demanded that gas extracted in Brahmanbaria should first satisfy local demand before being distributed elsewhere. Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood acknowledged the issue of reduced gas pressure due to supply shortages, while efforts continue to maintain industrial production.
The minister attributed the current challenges to inadequate exploration activities by the previous ‘fascist’ government, which made the sector reliant on imports. He assured that under the current administration, BAPEX has been strengthened and exploration activities have commenced, with the aim of improving gas pressure in areas with existing connections.
When given the opportunity to withdraw her motion, Rumeen Farhana reiterated the necessity of gas supply to the Ashuganj fertiliser factory, which had been shut due to gas shortages. She urged the government to at least prioritise gas supply to the factory, emphasising its importance to the agricultural sector.