Rizvi Promises Gas Crisis Resolution Within 10 Days

Bangla Press Desk:  The government is working to resolve the ongoing gas crisis, and the situation is expected to improve within one to one-and-a-half weeks, says Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

The prime minister’s political advisor and BNP acting secretary general made the remarks in response to questions from the media at an event on Wednesday.

He said, “There was a technical fault at the gas terminal in Moheshkhali, but it has now been fixed. Once the gas is replenished there, you will see that the supply will become fully operational within one to one-and-a-half weeks, In Sha Allah, and the gas crisis will be resolved.”

“The gas stoves in our kitchens that are now lighting weakly because of the shortage will light properly again. The necessary fuel supply for mills, factories and industries will also be ensured within one to one-and-a-half weeks, In Sha Allah. This is the government’s commitment.”

Rizvi said, “To alleviate the suffering of the people, the government has already allocated an additional Tk 400 billion for the rapid purchase of LNG and fuel. This is over and above the allocation for the energy sector in the budget. The government is not sitting idle.”

Rejecting claims that the energy crisis was caused by the current government’s shortcomings, the prime minister’s political advisor said:

“This crisis is not due to any fault of the government. You know that a war is going on between the United States and Iran, and most fuel-carrying ships and cargo vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the West. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed because everyone fears that mines and bombs have been placed there. Air strikes are also continuing. As the war is ongoing, vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped.”

“Hence, the gas crisis is now a global crisis. To find ways to resolve it, our government has taken initiatives in Malaysia, Indonesia and other places, and steps have been taken to tackle the situation quickly.”

Asked about opposition’s protests over the gas crisis, Rizvi said: “If you are a constructive opposition party, then you have to talk about why there is a gas crisis.”

“But if the intention is to put the government in difficulty and fish in troubled waters, then that is a different matter. The government gives the highest priority to the interests of the people and has not taken any step so far that goes against their interests. That is why the popularity of our honourable prime minister has increased, and the popularity of the BNP has also increased.”

The event was organised by the BNP’s Dhaka North unit as part of a tree-planting programme near the Bashundhara Convention Centre. Tree-planting programmes are being held across Dhaka and throughout the country to mark the BNP’s 48th founding anniversary.

Rizvi inaugurated the tree-planting programme by planting a Neem sapling.