The government on Saturday assured people that Bangladesh had sufficient reserves of fuel oil and liquefied natural gas and was also exploring alternative sources for imports to prevent any disruption to supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Power minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku said there was no reason for public concern as the country currently holds adequate stocks of fuel.
While speaking to New Age over the phone on Saturday, the minister also assured that fuel oil prices would not be increased before Eid-ul-Fitr.
‘We have no shortage of oil and we have sufficient reserves and additional shipments are also on the way,’ he told reporters after a meeting with prime minister Tarique Rahman at the prime minister’s office in Tejgaon in the capital.
Two more vessels carrying fuel oil are scheduled to arrive on March 9, which would further strengthen supply, the minister said.
Tuku said that the meeting with the prime minister focused on the global energy situation and its possible implications for Bangladesh, particularly in light of the war in the Middle East that has raised concerns about fuel supplies worldwide.
He said the power and energy ministry briefed the prime minister.
He explained that the government had introduced limited rationing measures as a precaution due to uncertainties surrounding the duration of the conflict in the Middle East.
‘There is uncertainty about how long the war will continue. For that reason we introduced rationing. But people became panicked by the measure and started stockpiling,’ Tuku said.
The minister requested everyone not to rush to buy fuel, saying that the government had sufficient reserves and was supplying oil to petrol pumps regularly.
Tuku also urged motorists not to queue overnight for fuel, saying that such behaviour was unnecessary as adequate supplies were being maintained.
He explained that petrol pumps were receiving fuel according to fixed allocations, and if any pump sells out early due to excessive demand, it would have to wait until the next day’s supply.
The minister said that to prevent irregularities and ensure proper distribution, the government would begin deploying mobile courts from Sunday.
Tuku said that Bangladesh was actively exploring alternative sources for fuel imports in addition to its existing suppliers.
State minister for power Anindya Islam Amit echoed the assurance, saying that the government was also working to secure alternative import sources to ensure that no shortage arises in the coming days.
He said that the government remained cautious given the evolving global situation.
‘Considering the global circumstances, we will remain careful and everyone should stay aware,’ Amit said.
