Bangladesh facing severe gas shortage: Energy adviser
Staff Correspondent
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said the country is currently facing a severe gas crisis.
“We need 4,000 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), but we are receiving only 3,000 mmcfd,” he said during a visit to inspect the drilling work at the Begumganj-4 well (West Well) in Sonaimuri upazila of Noakhali on Saturday.
The adviser noted that the shortage has forced Bangladesh to import gas, which incurs a significant amount of foreign currency expenditure.
“At this moment, the promise of providing gas to households is a false assurance,” he added.
He, however, hinted that if gas supply increases in the future, household gas distribution might be reconsidered.
Fouzul further mentioned that apart from the Bibiyana gas field, no other gas wells in the country have been able to produce adequate quantities of gas.
He also acknowledged the past government’s corruption in the energy sector, stating, “Looting occurred in the country, and everyone knows that. We, as part of the interim government, will remain above corruption, and we expect government officials, including secretaries, to follow suit.”
Regarding gas pricing, he pointed out that the government no longer sets gas prices directly. Instead, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) now determines gas prices in consultation with stakeholders, including consumers and LPG importers.
