Roundtable asks govt to attach priority to its own power plants

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Speakers at a roundtable held in Dhaka Friday said the nagging severe power crisis cannot be eased through the profit-oriented private sector, reports UNB.
There is no alternative to long-term government project to produce power, gas and coal with a view to mitigating the prevailing crisis.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) organised the roundtable, titled 'Power crisis and what's to be done', at the party office.
CPB president Manzurul Ahsan Khan presided over the function, which was moderated by eminent economist Prof MM Akash.
Prof. Dr. Shamsul Alam of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) presented the keynote paper.
Justice Golam Rabbani, Convener of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port Engr Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, its member-secretary Prof. Anu Mohammad, economist Dr. Asaduzzaman, former director of Power Cell BD Rahmatullah, Bimal Biswas of Workers Party and BSD general secretary Khalequzzaman took part in the discussion.
Criticizing the government, they said it only gives assurance to the people but does not take effective steps to cope with the power crisis.
The government rather sustains the crisis with a view to handing over the ownership of the power sector to the multinational companies, they alleged.
The speakers stressed the need for strengthening the Power Development Board (PDB), Rural Electrification Board (REB) and Petrobangla with efficient professionals.
Prof Anu Mohammad said the PDB have shown more skill in the power generation sector than the multinational companies.
He suggested prioritizing the government power plants instead of giving emphasis on the rental power plants.
The government, he said, should carry out immediate repair to the government power plants for capacity-building, and enhance gas supply to these plants which provide power at the cheapest rate.
On coal mining, Anu Mohammad said the government can take coal gasification project as pilot project in lieu of open-pit mining.
He also urged the government to refrain from entering into any export-oriented, harmful agreement on energy.
Sheikh Shahidullah said the power crisis has arisen due to "massive corruption and for lack of patriotism."
Suggesting diversification of power generation, he said the government should concentrate on alternative sources like solar energy and wind power.
Dr. Shamsul Alam in his keynote suggested the government to enact a law banning export of mineral resources before entering into any contract with foreign companies on offshore gas exploration.
He also suggested to extract some 25-30 crore cubic feet gas urgently to cope with the present gas crisis, extract approximately one trillion cubic feet (TCF) reserve gas from Chhatak (east) gas field which is under controversial agreement with NIKO, start exploration in the gas fields which are under the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and to take steps for import of gas and coal for long-term energy security.
Dr Alam said in order to avoid violation of the Fulbari agreement, coal should be extracted from Dighipara and Khasalpir mine through underground method.