Govt stands firm for gas extraction: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File photoUNB, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today apprised the parliament of her government’s determination to go ahead with exploring new hydrocarbon fields for production of gas and electricity disregarding any resistance from any direction.

“We’re facing a lot of impediments in exploring gas fields. I don’t know why resistance is being put up. Don’t they want production of gas and electricity for overall development of the country?” she said responding to a supplementary question during the PM’s question time in parliament.

Awami League MP Enamul Huq of Rajshahi wanted to know whether the government has any plan to supply gas to the district, where people have to use high-priced LPG or burn firewood depleting scant forests.

Hasina said her government has the plan to supply gas through Bangabandhu Bridge to entire northern region, including Rajshahi, for catering household demand as well as setting up industrial units.

Recently, the government has decided to lease out three offshore gas blocks in the Bay to US-based companies ConocoPhillips and Irish Tullow. ConocoPhilips got deep-sea blocks 10 and 11 while Tullow block no 5.

Myanmar authorities in a letter has asked ConocoPhillips not to explore gas block no. 11, claiming that part of the block belongs to their maritime territories.

A copy of the letter was also sent to the state-run Petrobangla which has already opened negotiations with both the foreign companies for warding gas-exploration contracts.

A pro-left national committee to protect the country’s national resources also recently staged street protests against the government decision to lease out the gas blocks to foreign countries.

Share on