CCCI for rep in Ctg gas supply monitoring team

CHITTAGONG, May 8: Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) demanded representation of the trade body in the monitoring team of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd (KGDCL) to ensure transparency in gas distribution in Chittagong region.
CCCI president Mahbubul Alam said Chittagong is being deprived of gas supply, although many entrepreneurs from abroad have described it as the most lucrative region for investment.
 "We are still facing gas supply shortage, and it is the major obstacle to local and foreign investments. Chittagong is getting only 215 millions cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas though the production has increased from 1,750 mmcfd to 2,250 mmcfd in the recent years," he said in a meeting with the KGDCL managing director Monday.
KGDCL MD Mir Abdul Matin and other senior officials of the company met the CCCI officials to exchange views on improving gas supply situation in Chittagong.
Mr Matin said Chittagong is now getting supply of 215 mmcfd gas including six mmcfd from the Semutang Gas-field.
"We are supplying what we are getting from the national grid and local production. But it is far less than what the region demands. So it is not possible to meet the demand by gas supply only."
He said the KGDCL officials and employees will be properly trained, so that the gas consumers are not harassed by them.
The CCCI president said the authorities concerned should immediately install required compressor system and alternative supply line in Chittagong as per instruction of the Prime Minister to save industrial and other consumers from severe gas shortage.
 "Entrepreneurs from abroad are interested to invest more in Chittagong. But they are hesitant due to lack of adequate gas supply here for a long time. Other regions, including Dhaka, don't have to suffer so much because of gas crisis."
"We suggest that as stakeholders CCCI representatives should be included in the KGDCL survey team to make its gas distribution transparent," he also said.
Stakeholders and gas management bodies should work together in the region, he concluded.
CCCI vice president Syed Jamal Ahmed demanded rational supply of gas, so that industries, businesses and domestic consumers are not deprived when gas supply continues in major fertilizer units, like - Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Ltd (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Co (KAFCO).
The domestic consumers of Chittagong have to face severe gas supply shortage even during normal time. The matter demands immediate attention of the authorities concerned, he opined.
CCCI director Mahfuzul Hoque Shah said people of this region are long demanding formation of a separate gas distribution company from Bakhrabad Gas Systems Ltd (BGSL).
"Chittagong remains neglected, as it has only one gas supply line, whereas Dhaka has six gas supply lines. People in this region are also being harassed while receiving services from KGDCL," he further said.