Westmont concerned over repair of its 2nd power plant

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FE Report Westmont Power (Bangladesh) Limited has expressed its grave concern over the repairing works of its 35-megawatt (MW) second power unit and sought immediate interaction from the government in resolving the problem. In a statement issued by Dato Sri Joseph Chong Chek Ah, whose designation was mentioned as Managing Director of Westmont Power (Bangladesh) Limited, the company noted that despite repeated appeals to the government, no action has yet been taken to resolve the issue. It also said expulsion of all experienced foreign staff from the power plant site by, whom the statement alleged, some "unauthorised occupants", had temporarily resulted in complete shutdown of its two units on August 1, 2011. Although one unit could somehow be re-started by such "occupants" of the plant, to produce 35 megawatt power, the start of the second unit has not yet been possible, the statement said. The repair of the second unit -- 35-MW Simple Cycle Power plant -- requires sophisticated intervention by licenced and reputed international companies, it added. Application of any type of crude techniques to repair the unit might result in complete destruction of the 35-MW simple cycle power plant, it mentioned while stating that the government of Bangladesh "will be responsible for all the consequences," arising out of any such development. Earlier, an ownership dispute arose regarding the Westmont Power plant, having two units at Baghabari under Sirajganj district. The copy of the statement has been sent to different donor agencies and foreign missions based in Dhaka, and also to foreign and local media houses. Among others, the statement was sent to the offices of the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Voice of America (VoA), BBC World Service, Xinhua News Agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP), CNN Asia Bureau Office, Newsweek International Magazine- New York, The Economist -- London