Gas crisis makes urea production uncertain
Urea production in Jamuna Fertilizer Company Ltd (JFCL) is facing uncertainty as Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd (TGTDCL) asked it to stop production immediately as there is a gas crisis.
As per directive of Petro Bangla, the distribution company served a notice to Jamuna Fertilizer in this regard on November 9 as there is acute shortage of natural gas in the Titas Gas networking system, said General Manager (technical) of JFCL Mahbuba Sultana, also acting managing director.
“Though urea is still being produced, we will have to shut the factory soon and urea production will stop,” she added.
As per an agreement with TGTDCL, JFCL was supposed to get supply of natural gas at 370 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure, which is needed to produce 1,500 tonnes to 1,550 tonnes per day, Mahbuba said.
The factory has been getting gas at 120 PSI to 130 PSI pressure, which is capable of producing only 1,000 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes per day for 45 days, hampering achievement of its production target, she said.
“If the factory cannot produce sufficient fertilizer, 20 districts, including 16 northern ones, will face serious fertilizer crisis in the coming season and the Boro farmers will have to bear the brunt,” Mahbuba said.
Meanwhile, workers and employees of JFCL staged a demonstration in the factory compound yesterday, protesting the notice served by TGTDCL and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
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