Remove the corrupt from Titas
A group of businessmen yesterday demanded the removal of corrupt officials from Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company as they hold back from giving gas connections to industrial units even after receiving the demand note money.
“We the businessmen have been paying crores of taka to a section of Titas gas officials for obtaining gas connections in our industrial units,” said AKD Khair M Khan, former director of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
No measure was taken to remove the corrupt officials of the Titas office although some of them were identified during the caretaker government's tenure, he said at a seminar styled “LNG tariff: implications on trade and industries”.
DCCI organised the seminar at its office in Dhaka, which was attended by businessmen, government high-ups, energy experts and small- and medium-sized enterprise owners.
“If such a situation continues Bangladesh cannot expect foreign direct investment,” said Humayun Rashid, a director of the DCCI.
When applying for connections, the Titas office must give the businessmen a strict timeframe by which they can expect gas supply for their industrial units.
He went on to suggest restructuring of the Titas office for easing the process of obtaining gas connections for industrial units and carrying on the growth momentum.
He also said the prices of liquefied natural gas must be fixed in consultation with the private sector investors.
Bangladesh should also take into cognisance whether the country will face any balance of payment pressure for LNG imports, said Hossain Khaled, former DCCI president.
Instead of supplying gas to households and vehicles, the government should prioritise the industrial sector.
“If it is possible, the industrial sector will get a lot of gas pressure with the current capacity,” Khaled added.
If not priced correctly, LNG will impact industrial growth, trade and investment, said Abul Kasem Khan, DCCI president.
Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, former secretary to the power division, presented a keynote paper.
In the keynote, he suggested preventing illegal gas connections and exploring further domestic natural gas reserves.
A 10 percent hike in energy price will lead to a 1 percent drop in the export value of goods from Bangladesh as the cost of production also goes up, he said.
“Pilferage of energy is still happening,” said Abul Kalam Azad, principal coordinator of SDG affairs at the Prime Minister's Office.
The stealing of energy should be stopped, he said. “If energy efficiency can be improved you will be more competitive even if the price is hiked.”
Globally, the electricity price increased 63 percent and gas 115 percent over the last 10 years.
In 2011, there was a 45 percent export growth because of electricity generation.
System loss was more than 40 percent 20 years ago, but now it has declined to single digit due to efficient use of energy, he said.
“Quality of power also improved”, he said, adding that LNG will be imported from India in future to Bangladesh to meet the growing demand.
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