Reforms in power sector
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
THE entire country is suffering from under-productivity in the various economic spheres from inadequate power supply. In this situation, it is disconcerting to note that a substantial amount of money was paid to foreign experts during the last 15 years for maintenance activities in its power sector when nearly all of this money could be saved and invested to set up new power plants to produce a great deal of power.
If this was done, then the country today could be enjoying a better situation in respect of power supply. This spending was reported in the press that highlighted the utter lack of imagination in the appointment of foreign experts in the power sector which has cost the country so dearly. Not only this piece of news of a very big drain of precious resources on foreign experts, it was also reported that a mammoth sum of money was simply defalcated by the corruption-soaked officials of the Power Development Board (PDB). If this unaccounted-for spending were truly well spent for carrying out badly needed repairs, overhaul and rehabilitation of worn-out power producing units, that would have gone a long way in delivering the country from its present power-related problems.
Thus, a shake-up of the power sector should be among the highest priorities of the caretaker government. It would be necessary to undertake drastic reforms in the power sector so that transparency and accountability are restored in all inter-related financial matters thereof.
S M Haider
Baridhara, Dhaka
If this was done, then the country today could be enjoying a better situation in respect of power supply. This spending was reported in the press that highlighted the utter lack of imagination in the appointment of foreign experts in the power sector which has cost the country so dearly. Not only this piece of news of a very big drain of precious resources on foreign experts, it was also reported that a mammoth sum of money was simply defalcated by the corruption-soaked officials of the Power Development Board (PDB). If this unaccounted-for spending were truly well spent for carrying out badly needed repairs, overhaul and rehabilitation of worn-out power producing units, that would have gone a long way in delivering the country from its present power-related problems.
Thus, a shake-up of the power sector should be among the highest priorities of the caretaker government. It would be necessary to undertake drastic reforms in the power sector so that transparency and accountability are restored in all inter-related financial matters thereof.
S M Haider
Baridhara, Dhaka