Govt working to light up every house: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday her government will light up every house by boosting the power generation, report agencies.

She said this while inaugurating six power plants and nine grid substations having capacity of 1062 megawatts (MWs) through a videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.

"Our aim is to spread light of development everywhere and illuminate every house of the country soon," she said.

Through the same function, Sheikh Hasina also launched the power supply to Sandwip upazila in Chattogram through submarine cable, the first of its kind in the country, and cent per cent electrification in 12 upazilas.

The prime minister renewed her call to the people to be economical in using electricity, saying that it will be good if they switch off light in their own hand.

Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister said the electricity demand goes up with the improvement of socio-economic status and lifestyle of people.

"So, we're also increasing the power generation capacity keeping consistency with the growing demand," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said now 93 per cent people are enjoying electricity facilities in the country.

She said now people do not need to run to and fro for having power connections as the government is taking electricity to their houses.

"Our goal is to light up every corner of the country."

Expressing her gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for electing her government by casting their votes in favour of 'Boat' in the 2018 general election, she said, "We'll march forward upholding the confidence and trust the people put on us."

She said Awami League government took the country towards the path of development in the last 10 years from 2008 to 2018 coming to power for two consecutive terms.

"Today, we've graduated to a developing country and we'll keep working to maintain the trend," she added.

sTalking about the power supply to Sandwip from the national grid, the Prime Minister said it will attract investment, accelerate industrialisation, help increase crop productions, help set up agro-processing industries and unlock the potentials of blue economy.

Mentioning that Sandwip is a very beautiful island, she said tourism can be flourished there.

The six power plants inaugurated at the function are Sirajganj 282 MW Simple Cycle Power Plant, Bhola 225 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant, Chandpur 200 MW Power Plant, Ashuganj 150 MW Power Plant, Rupsha 105 MW Power Plant in Khulna, Julda 100 MW Power Plant (3rd unit) in Chattogram.

The nine grid sub-stations are Ramganj, Barishal (North), Baraiyarhat, Shikalbaha, Jaldhaka, Sunamganj, Bianibazar, Rangamati and Matarbari.

The 12 upazilas which came under cent per cent electricity coverage are Harinakundu, Thakurgaon Sadar, Baliadangi, Goalanda, Kalukhali, Bamna, Lakhai, Shaistaganj, Ajmiriganj, Bahubal, Melandah and Islampur.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and PM's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury spoke on the occasion.

Nasrul Hamid said 186 upazilas have come under cent per cent electricity coverage. There is also 80pc-90pc electricity coverage in the rest upazilas of the country.

"We hope we'll be able to bring 100 per cent of all the upazilas under electricity network at the end of this year," he said.