PM gives good news over power crisis

Mentioning about the shortage of power generation in Bangladesh due to energy crisis caused by Russia-Ukraine war, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the government is working to alleviate the suffering of the people.

She said this while inaugurating the Dhaka District Awami League Bhaban (office of Dhaka district and Dhaka North City Awami League) as the chief guest at the Tejgaon industrial area in the capital on Saturday (June 3).

Sheikh Hasina said, “We have been able to provide 100% electricity. But, the prices of fuel oil and gas have gone up. The coal prices have also gone up. Now surprisingly, coal is not available. Those who once circulated propaganda against coal-based power plants internationally, are now doing coal-based power plants.”

“We are having trouble buying coal. I know many are suffering this summer. We have completely eliminated load shedding. If the Ukraine-Russia war did not happen, and if the coronavirus outbreak did not spread, the global economic recession did not appear, inflation did not appear; Then there would be no trouble. But, today, no matter how much we try inside, we have to collect the things that we have to bring from outside with difficulty,” she added.

At this time, she also gave good news, saying, “However, the good news is that we have reached an agreement with Qatar and Oman. We are talking with some other countries as well, so that we can bring gas and remove the sufferings.”

The Prime Minister said, “I know this electricity... once it becomes a habit of people, then if there is no electricity, the sufferings get worsen. And during BNP-Jamaat tenure, people used to cry for electricity. Khaleda Zia administration shot and killed people in Kansat for asking electricity, leaving 18 farmers killed for demanding fertiliser. 17 workers were killed during Ramadan because they talked about wages.”

Sheikh Hasina said, “We have been able to provide electricity at every door step. We overcame the economic pressure caused by coronavirus outbreak; growth was slowing down, I got over that too; But today due to war and sanctions, our operating expenses, transportation expenses, prices of goods have gone up.”

She said that the price of wheat, which was 200 dollars, has become 600 dollars. Ship fares have increased. Not only in Bangladesh, this recession is going on all over the world. Still we are keeping our economy moving. We reduced poverty. Our enrollment rate is over 75% and life expectancy is now 73 years. Maternal and infant mortality rates have been reduced.