Utilise energy resources for country's development

Speakers at a discussion called for exploiting and utilising minerals and other natural resources for the country's development instead of leasing out fuel, gas and coal blocks to foreign companies.
They also expressed concern that open pit mining at Phulbari in Dinajpur even on an experimental basis would cause serious damage to the environment.
The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Power, Mineral Resources and Port organised the discussion at Muktangan in the city on Thursday.
The speakers demanded resignation of Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury for his failure to realise compensation for Magurchhara and Tengratila gas field blowouts.
Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the committee, said: "Presently, the country has an acute shortage of gas in the local industries. In such a situation, we should utilise our energy resources for internal purposes. Leasing out the blocks in the Bay of Bengal would harm the interests of the country."
Using the energy resources in the local industry without exporting them would be cost-effective, he added.
Researcher Nur Mohammad said, “The committee is not against extraction of coal from Phulbari mine, but it has to be with a safer technology that does not damage cultivable lands and displace the local people.”
Open pit mining will have serious environmental impacts in the region, he added.
Prof Akmal Hossain of IR department at Dhaka University said, “There should be an open discussion regarding the vital issue in parliament. However, none of the previous and current parties in power discussed the matter in parliament.”
Leaders of Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Biplobi Workers' Party, National Awami Party, Jatiya Gono Front, Biplobi Chhatra Moitri, Gonotantrik Biplobi Party and Gonosanghati Andolon also spoke.