Gas, power supply to normalise within 1-1.5 weeks: Rizvi

“The stove in the kitchen that is now burning dimly due to the gas shortage will burn properly again. The necessary fuel supply for mills and factories will also be ensured within one to one-and-a-half weeks. This is the government’s commitment,” he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a nationwide tree plantation campaign organised by BNP marking its 48th founding anniversary, in an area adjacent to Bashundhara Convention Centre on the 300 Feet Road in the capital.

He said the government has allocated an additional Tk 4,000 crore beyond the budget, for the urgent purchase of LNG and fuel to ease the sufferings of the people and meet the fuel requirements of mills and factories.

“The government is not sitting idle. This is not happening because of any fault or failure of the government,” he said.

Rizvi said the technical problems at the Maheshkhali gas terminal have largely been resolved and the process of refilling gas there was underway.

Explaining the reasons behind the gas and fuel crisis, he said the ongoing US-Iran war and the suspension of fuel-carrying vessels through the Strait of Hormuz have created a global energy crisis.

The movement of ships through the strait has been disrupted due to the risk of mines and bomb attacks, resulting in fuel supply problems in Bangladesh and many other countries.

He said the government is communicating with Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries to explore alternative arrangements for fuel supplies.

Regarding the opposition's movement over the gas crisis, Rizvi said a constructive opposition should inform people about the actual causes of the crisis.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad, Jubo Dal General Secretary and MP Nurul Islam Nayon, among other party leaders, were present at the programme, reports UNB.