Energy Advisor Fouzul says final decisions on power, energy sector graft left to next government

He says dealing with corruption is not within his mandate and that time constraints leave the task to his successors

Energy Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said the interim government has sent documents and information on corruption in the power and energy sector to the relevant authorities, leaving final decisions on the matter to the next government.

He spoke to reporters on Sunday evening at the Bidyut Bhaban in the capital after inaugurating five apps for the Energy Division.

“Investigating graft and taking punitive action are not within our mandate. There are separate agencies for that, including the Anti-Corruption Commission. However, wherever assistance has been sought from us, we have provided the necessary documents, information, and evidence,” he said.

Referring to the national committee that reviewed contracts and decisions in the power and energy sector taken during Sheikh Hasina’s government, he said the committee submitted its findings within the deadline.

“Due to time constraints, we have left its implementation to the next elected government,” he said.

The energy advisor said many investment initiatives and reform programmes in the power and energy sector could not be implemented or made visible due to the short tenure of the interim government.

“It is not realistic to implement major projects in the power and energy sector within two years. Given the short tenure of the government, we could not secure the level of investment required for this sector. Although several reform initiatives were taken, their benefits could not be demonstrated due to time limitations,” he added.

Referring to his discussion with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family, he said: “If the government’s term had been a little longer, the investment could have materialised.”

He noted the urgency of setting up another Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, which could not be implemented due to time constraints.

Commenting on his personal assets, the advisor said he submitted his wealth statement.

He confirmed that no power project during the past Awami League government had any official approval.

Replying to a question about the controversial Adani power import deal, the advisor said the contract was finalised before the current government took office.

The interim government avoided engaging in a “witch-hunting”, he said, adding that sudden cancellation of international deals could bear serious legal and financial consequences.

“That’s why all information and evidence based on the national committee report was left for the next government,” he said.

Renewable energy could not be competitive due to high rates, but the trend is changing, with investors now showing interest in generating power at lower costs, he said.

He defended the allegation of discriminatory payments, explaining that payments to foreign companies were prioritised to keep energy supply uninterrupted and to avoid large-scale penalties and inflated future energy bills.

Agreements signed with private and foreign companies make it unviable to withhold their payments for long, he said.

He claimed that they ensured preparations to tackle power demand in the next summer so that the next government does not get embarrassed.

On the LPG crisis, he said that reduced imports over the past two to three months have created a supply shortage in the market.

He explained that the situation has arisen due to international restrictions, high transportation costs, and complexities in the supply chain.

He expected the situation to improve in this month, particularly before the beginning of the month of Ramadan.