FE Report
The newly-appointed state-minister for power and energy Brig Gen (retd) Enamul Haque said Sunday that he would try his best to improve the country's power supply situation for betterment of the economy.
"My main objective is to overcome the existing energy crisis," he told reporters after his first meeting with top energy and power ministry officials in the Secretariat.
Currently, the power supply is hovering around 3,700 megawatts (mw) against the peak hour demand for more than 5,000 mw.
Gas production is also in deficit with production of around 250 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) against the demand for around 2,150 mmcfd.
Mr Haque, former chairman of the Rural Electrification Board (REB), also stressed expansion of power supplies to rural areas to ensure equitable growth across the country.
"Currently the villagers get priority in electricity supplies only during irrigation season. But during the rest of the time they are deprived," said the new state-minister, who closely monitored electricity supplies in rural areas while performing his job as the REB chief.
Mr Haque alleged that the energy sector did not see much headway in the past seven years.
"Our main agenda will be to fulfill the electoral manifesto of the government," said Mr Haque, a ruling party lawmaker.
The new government took office in the first week of January last with pledges to increase electricity generation to 5,000 mw by 2011 and to 7,000 mw by 2013.
The new minister sought all-out support from all concerned to implement the government's plan in the energy sector.
New minister focuses on improving power supply
FE Team | Published: August 03, 2009 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
Share if you like