Invite fresh bids for offshore blocks: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday instructed the energy and mineral resources ministry to invite fresh bids for offshore blocks to ensure optimum extraction of oil and gas from the Bay of Bengal.

She spoke at a meeting on formulating a strategy and action plan for extracting maritime resources and their smooth management. Prime Minister's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meeting.

Chowdhury quoted Hasina as urging the officials to ensure that no particular bidder gets most of the blocks.

She also instructed the authorities to conduct surveys and research on maritime resources in the Bay.

The premier said necessary action plan should be taken to protect the vast sea areas acquired from Myanmar and India and use the maritime resources for the welfare of people.

 The prime minister asked the ministries and divisions concerned to conduct separate surveys and researches in the shallow and deep sea areas and to procure necessary equipment for those. Hasina said her government would take steps to strengthen Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard to ensure security of the sea and its resources.

She also asked for taking a massive plantation drive to recover char areas and make the new chars liveable.

Hasina stressed the need for making sea tourism more attractive and said joint initiatives by Bangladesh, the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka should be taken to develop sea tourism in the region.