Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today assured the countrymen that the nation is on the path to overcoming the current gas and power crisis. He emphasized that the government is implementing immediate measures while also pursuing a long-term solar power strategy to reduce dependency on energy imports.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister outlined his vision during the valedictory speech in the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. He stated, "So far, we were consumers of electricity generated from imported sources. If the government's solar power generation plan is properly implemented, we will no longer be consumers of imported energy; we will be solar power producers."
He called on the opposition to accurately present the crisis to the public rather than resorting to provocative behavior. PM Tarique Rahman highlighted that the BNP has a strong history of successfully navigating the nation through crises and expressed confidence in resolving the current situation.
Addressing comments made by the opposition regarding the crisis, he clarified that the issue did not arise suddenly. He attributed the problem to a lack of effective initiatives over the past decade to extract gas from domestic sources, particularly during previous administrations. He expressed regret over missed opportunities for gas extraction in the Bay of Bengal, suggesting that past decisions favored foreign interests.
The Prime Minister further explained the crisis's background, citing disruptions in gas and oil supplies due to a recent war in the Middle East shortly after his administration took office. Additionally, an accident at one of the country's floating LNG terminals exacerbated the situation.
PM Rahman urged the opposition to avoid political blame games and recalled past measures taken to address power shortages, such as adjusting office hours and implementing additional weekly holidays for educational institutions in 2022.
He criticized the previous government's approach to solving the power crisis, highlighting debts incurred by favoring certain groups under the guise of quick rental power solutions. The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of presenting the true situation to the public, warning that provocative behavior could benefit the country's former fascist forces.
Reassuring citizens, he referenced BNP's historical success in crisis management, stating, "Whenever BNP has been entrusted with governing the state in the past, it has successfully brought the country out of any disastrous situation." He emphasized the party's commitment, based on Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's policies, to resolve the current gas and power crisis alongside opposition colleagues.
The session commenced at 3:00 pm with Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal presiding. After Maghrib prayers, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikrom concluded the session with the President's order. As per tradition, Opposition Leader Dr. Md Shafiqur Rahman spoke first, followed by the Leader of the House, with the Prime Minister beginning his remarks at 7:45 pm. The third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad began on August 27.