Gas shortages will ease ‘significantly’ within days, Tarique says

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has promised that Bangladesh’s gas crisis will “significantly ease within a few days”.

Speaking at a discussion in Dhaka on Saturday, the premier apologised for the hardship caused by the fuel shortage

“People across Bangladesh, especially in metropolitan areas, cities and district towns, have been suffering from power shortages. I know people in different areas are facing gas shortages too -- CNG, LPG and different other forms of gas,” he said.

“We have to import a large portion of our valuable gas. The 15-year ‘fascist’ government built only two storage facilities for gas brought in by ships. Even those were built in a way that benefited their people.”

Blaming the ousted Awami League government, he said one of two floating vessels had suffered a sudden accident, triggering the crisis.

“The technical problems have already been fixed. I hope the situation will improve significantly within the next few days.”

The event, marking former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s birth anniversary, provided financial assistance to disadvantaged and sick people.