Speakers urge political parties
We are marred with short-term firefighting all the time but sustainable security requires mid- and long-term parallel preparation. PHOTO: STAR
“>
We are marred with short-term firefighting all the time but sustainable security requires mid- and long-term parallel preparation. PHOTO: STAR
A shift in the mindset of political party leaders regarding power and energy supply is essential to ensure a smooth transition to renewable energy, said speakers at a dialogue yesterday.
They said if party members rid themselves of corruption, people would be able to attain “energy justice”.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised the dialogue at the capital’s CIRDAP auditorium with representatives of various political parties.
The party leaders promised to work against corruption at the event.
CAB energy adviser Prof M Shamsul Alam said if the government stopped making “predatory profit” from the sector, people would get affordable energy.
“Though it is allowed to make a profit of around 7 percent from a business, the previous government sometimes provided around 18 percent profits to some power plants,” he said.
Though it [govt] is allowed to make a profit of around 7% from a business, the previous government sometimes provided around 18% profits to some power plants.
— Prof M Shamsul Alam CAB energy adviser
BNP representative Maudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, convener of its media cell, said the energy sector had become a totally profit-driven sector. He assured that if the BNP comes to power, it would not allow development projects like Rampal, which has been polluting the environment and the biodiversity of the Sundarbans.
Jamaat’s Dhaka city south committee’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Md Helal Uddin said if Jamaat comes to power, it would work for the people with honesty and integrity.
CPB central committee member Ruhin Hossain Prince said they have always stood for ensuring 100 percent ownership of natural resources for the people and would continue to do so.
AB Party general secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad said the political parties which appear likely to come to power in the future had already surrendered themselves to the oligarchs.
Representatives from Basad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, National Citizen Party, Nagorik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad also joined the dialogue. Students from different universities presented their thoughts on energy security at the programme.
