BSS:
The National Energy Security Day will be observed today commemorating the historic decision taken by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 9 in 1975.
After independence, Bangabandhu had undertaken various initiatives to develop the country’s energy sector and bought five gas fields from the then British Oil company ‘Shell Oil’ for the state at a nominal price. The government has been observing the day since 2010.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the initiative of observing the National Energy Security Day will play an affirmative role to make the people aware and rationale in the use of energy considering the increased energy demand in the country.
He said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken the initiative to buy five gas fields from the then British Oil company ‘Shell Oil’ for the state at a nominal price in 1975 to ensure energy security. Gas and by-product oil from those gas fields are still playing vital role in meeting the country’s energy demand.”
Natural gas is one of the major fuels of industry in Bangladesh, he said, adding that in the context of the country’s continued economic growth, supply must be coordinated with the growing demand for natural gas.
In this context, the government is adopting and implementing various action plans for the exploration, extraction, transmission and distribution of oil and gas on land and in the sea, the head of the state added.
He said Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is working on energy security by importing and processing fuel oil from various sources to meet the country’s energy demand and uninterrupted supply.
The President hoped that all the institutions concerned will make strong efforts to increase the production of fossil fuels from domestic sources as well as increase the use of renewable energy to ensure the energy security of the country.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted all concerned on the occasion of National Energy Security Day-2021.
Recalling Bangabandhu’s initiative of buying five gas fields from the then British Oil Company ‘Shell Oil’ for the state at a nominal price, she said the farsighted decision of father of the nation has had an affirmative and far-reaching impact on the national economy.
Following Bangabandhu’s energy policy, the premier said, the present government is taking the country toward development by expanding the regional cooperation, including ensuring energy security, exploring new sources of energy and making the country enriched with energy.
She said the present Awami League government has increased its fuel oil storage capacity and brought modernity in its supply and distribution.
At present the stock of fuel oil is 13.28 lakh metric tons with which it is possible to meet the demand of fuel oil of the country for 40-45 days, she added.
The premier further said that various measures have been taken to gradually increase the reserve capacity to 60 days.
The Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline (SPM) project is being implemented for unloading fuel oil at the main facility and Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) through mooring from Mother Vessel in the deep sea at a fast time with a saving of around Taka 800 crore per annum, she continued.
A project to set up ERL (Eastern Refinery Limited) Unit-2 has been taken up to increase the refining capacity of the country’s fuel oil, she said, adding that construction works of Dhaka-Chattogram pipeline and Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline are underway to transport fuel oil.
The premier wished all the programmes on the day a success.
