Govt 'must suspend' int'l oil, gas tenders
Sunday, 16 March 2008
A group of academics said Saturday that the caretaker government had no authority to invite international bids for oil and gas exploration and must suspend all such activities, reports bdnews24.com.
They made a number of recommendations including giving all necessary assistance and finance for seismic surveys to BAPEX, the state body for exploration and extraction of mineral resources.
Dhaka University (DU) professor of economics MM Akash read out the recommendations at a statement at a press conference at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, made by professors of economics, geology, international relations and sociology from Dhaka , Chittagong and Jahanginagar universities among others.
The statement said: "As the oil and gas reserves under the sea are people's property, and under the prevailing state of emergency people's fundamental rights remain suspended, the activities of leasing out people's property to foreigners should be suspended."
The statement, made on behalf of civil society by academics concerned at the leasing out of national oil and gas reserves, suggested reformulating policy giving highest priority to internal use of the country's mineral resources.
"A national institution will have to be appointed for all necessary surveys before signing any agreement with foreign companies", Prof Akash stated.
"If necessary, the national institution BAPEX has to be restructured and be given all necessary assistance, financial and otherwise, for seismic surveys."
"Every investment agreement will have to be meticulously reviews by an expert committee formed with experts in the field", the statement recommended.
They made a number of recommendations including giving all necessary assistance and finance for seismic surveys to BAPEX, the state body for exploration and extraction of mineral resources.
Dhaka University (DU) professor of economics MM Akash read out the recommendations at a statement at a press conference at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, made by professors of economics, geology, international relations and sociology from Dhaka , Chittagong and Jahanginagar universities among others.
The statement said: "As the oil and gas reserves under the sea are people's property, and under the prevailing state of emergency people's fundamental rights remain suspended, the activities of leasing out people's property to foreigners should be suspended."
The statement, made on behalf of civil society by academics concerned at the leasing out of national oil and gas reserves, suggested reformulating policy giving highest priority to internal use of the country's mineral resources.
"A national institution will have to be appointed for all necessary surveys before signing any agreement with foreign companies", Prof Akash stated.
"If necessary, the national institution BAPEX has to be restructured and be given all necessary assistance, financial and otherwise, for seismic surveys."
"Every investment agreement will have to be meticulously reviews by an expert committee formed with experts in the field", the statement recommended.