The government constituted a 12-member body to expedite and supervise the development works for building a multimodal energy hub at seaside Moheshkhali site in Cox's Bazar.
Officials said the committee, under overall supervision of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), comprises representatives of 10 ministries, including the ministries of land, environment and forests, shipping, railway, housing and public works, local government, energy and power, and road transport, and representative from the PMO and the BEZA.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) made BEZA executive chairman (secretary) Paban Chowdhury convener of the committee.
In a circular, dated November 7, 2017, the PMO also defined work plan of the committee.
The government has designated Moheshkhali island in the Bay of Bengal as an energy hub to be built through implementing a cluster of projects including power plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to boost country's overall economy.
A coal-fired power plant with 1,200-megwatt capacity will be built at Matarbari on the Moheshkhali bay island.
Earlier, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith also had expressed his hope that development works at Moheshkhali would increase financial and job security with the construction of a 1,200-MW Matarbari power plant.
The state-owned Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) finalised a major deal with Japanese firm Sumitomo Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and IHI Corporation on July 27 last for constructing the country's largest coal-fired power plant at Matarbari.
According to the contract, the lead contractor, Sumitomo Consortium, will construct the power plant by December 2022. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide $4.56 billion for financing the project while the government would arrange necessary additional funds.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid foundation of the Moheshkhali Floating LNG Terminal, the second floating LNG Terminal of Summit LNG Terminal Company, Single Point Mooring (SPM) Project etc.
The newly formed committee will closely monitor time-bound implementation of the integrated master plan for Moheshkhali.
The panel will coordinate survey of Moheshkhali and supervise best use of land. It will coordinate and supervise different investment and development-project proposals for the Moheshkhali area.
Holding coordination meetings with the local district administration of Cox's Bazar on land and for creating necessary opportunities for citizens of the area are also under its work-plan.
To attract private investment, the committee will expedite and prioritise the projects related to establishing smooth transportation system.
It will supervise implementation of embankments and water-sanitation projects in the area. It will hold quarterly meeting.
Talking to the FE, the executive chairman of BEZA, Paban Chowdhury, said the overall development works in a planned way and optimal use of land in the Moheshkhali area will be supervised by the body.
"We will monitor whether the appropriate land location is being used for different projects. Tendency for holding idle land will also be supervised," he said.
Moheshkali is going to play a significant role in economic development of the country in the near future, he hoped.
"The committee will work to ensure maximum benefit for the citizens from the integrated development works of Moheshkhali," he said.
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