Staff Correspondent

The BNP has demanded that all agreements related to the power and energy sectors struck during Sheikh Hasina’s government be disclosed to the public.

Criticising the lack of sustainable development in the sector, the party warned that the power sector could collapse at any moment.

The BNP secretary general called a press briefing at the chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Thursday to present an analysis on “irregularities, corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering in the power and energy sector during the 15 years of Awami League rule”.

Standing Committee member Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku, who served as the state minister for power and energy during the previous four-party alliance government, highlighted the alleged corruption and irregularities in the power and energy sector during the Awami League's tenure.

Tuku remarked that the Awami League government “opened a 'business sector' in the name of showing 'magic' in the power sector”.

He accused that government of signing contracts in violation of legal and regulatory frameworks and asserted that citizens have the right to know about these agreements.
“How these contracts were made should be disclosed. The interim government’s first task should be to make these contracts public and disclose them to the people.”

**Awami League’s Quick Rental Law Repealed by Interim Government**

After the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, the interim government repealed the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010.

The repeal was gazetted on Nov 30 that year, also abolishing the immunity clause within the law.

However, despite the repeal, any agreements made or actions taken under this law remain legally valid.

During a BNP press conference, allegations were raised that nearly Tk 1 trillion had been “embezzled” in the name of capacity charges or plant rentals over 15 years.

Presenting statistics on “corruption”, Tuku said: “In the last 15 years, the total expenditure in the power sector was $28.3 billion. At the current exchange rate, that amounts to Tk 3.34 trillion. Of this, almost Tk 1 trillion was looted through capacity charges."

"In fiscal year 2008-09, Tk 15.07 billion was spent on capacity charges, which rose to Tk 50 billion in 2011-12, Tk 89 billion in 2018-19, and Tk 171.55 billion in 2022-23."

Explaining this, Tuku said, “This means private power plants were not operational, yet they were paid. In this way, the nation’s wealth was ‘looted’ from the people.”

COMPANIES AT THE TOP OF THE CAPACITY CHARGE LIST

Tuku listed several private companies involved, saying: Summit received Tk 106.30 billion; Aggreko International received Tk 79.32 billion; Ultra Power Holdings received Tk 75.23 billion; United Group received Tk 65.75 billion; and RPCL received Tk 51.17 billion.

He said these payments placed massive financial burden on ordinary citizens, terming it systemic exploitation in the power sector.

QUICK RENTAL POWER PLANTS OPERATED BEYOND CRISIS PERIODS

The former state minister said, “Quick rental power plants are generally introduced to address emergency electricity shortages for two years. However, these plants have been operated for 15 years, with 75 percent of the investment made without any return. Imagine the situation.”

He alleged, “In the name of importing electricity from India, Tk 110.15 billion has been paid in capacity charges over the past nine years.”

"EVERYTHING WILL BE REVIEWED"

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced at the press conference, “We will review the entire matter thoroughly and take necessary actions accordingly.”

Tuku added, “We need to remember that a review does not mean cancellation. We will examine where the weaknesses were.”

"POWER SECTOR AT RISK OF COLLAPSE"

The former state minister warned, “The development in the power sector under the Awami League government is neither sustainable nor long-lasting. It could collapse at any moment.”

He continued, “The extent of corruption in the power sector shows they have completely hollowed it out… there is almost nothing left.”

Tuku pointed out, “The government is paying bills. From what I know, there are not many arrears. But by 2027, this will become evident. If we do not tighten controls now, by 2027, we will face severe crises: a foreign exchange deficit, excessive money printing, and rising inflation. You can imagine the consequences.”

"CORRUPTION” IN ROOPPUR NUCLEAR PROJECT

Tuku alleged, “Tk 500 billion has been embezzled from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, involving Sheikh Hasina and her family. Investigations are under way in London concerning Tulip Siddiq (Sheikh Rehana’s daughter and British minister). There are more cases of corruption.”

PREPAID METER “SYNDICATE”

Tuku criticised the implementation of prepaid meters, calling it a “business syndicate.”

“They aim to distribute meters to 7.12 million consumers, involving massive corruption and the misappropriation of approximately Tk 360 million.”

“An additional Tk 12.35 billion was spent unnecessarily, with Tk 6.17 billion embezzled.”

“The smart prepaid meter project, initially estimated at Tk 45 billion, ballooned to Tk 120 billion. This network benefits a few individuals, including relatives of the deposed prime minister, who will profit immensely.”

He accused former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid Bipu’s company and other groups of siphoning off billions through LNG projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORM

Tuku emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the power sector; public participation in project implementation, strict legislation to curb corruption. action against individuals involved in power sector corruption, and regular monitoring and auditing of electricity projects.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan was also present at the press conference.