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Solving energy problems

June 03, 2009 00:00:00


IT'S a difficult choice for Bangladesh. Inspite of cost and risk, nuclear power is the 'easiest' solution. Within a predictable number of years at a predictably high cost with a nuclear power station, we can get a reliable source of electricity. I think this government, or any other government, simply has no choice -- given our 'mentality'.
The main problem with conventional power stations, based on our own enquiries, is simply that we can have the equipment, technology, knowledge, plant and distribution networks -- but we can't get the power to run the power station in the first place. That is to say, our problem, first of all, with energy is the support of inputs. Gas sources are underdeveloped, coal is an unknown.
Like so many other problems, Bangladesh does not need to import consultants and solutions. We need to be creative, imaginative and innovative. We need to identify and harness our own talents. It is the only way to solve our problem. But tragically we are nowhere close to such a cando attitude. Frustrated, most of our talent leaves the country.
Instead of protecting, celebrating and harnessing our mighty rivers, all we can do is to watch them shrink and die slowly. Oh yeah! sing about them.
We need a task-force approach to our problems -- result-based, fully empowered, passionately motivated task forces. And not a committee based approach.
And what's with the army looking after Jamuna Bridge? What is that? A payoff? We need the army cleaning the Buriganga!
Never mind. At least, calling it the Jamuna Bridge, the Bangabandhu Bridge will help us.
Ezajur Rahman
Kuwait

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