Mirza Fakhrul says energy crisis ‘artificially’ manufactured despite adequate supply

Traders and motorists are selling fuel oil on the black market, alleges the minister

BNP Secretary General and Thakurgaon-1 MP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir thinks the ongoing nationwide energy crisis has been manufactured “artificially” despite adequate supplies.

Addressing a relief and government fund distribution event in Thakurgaon town on Friday, he attributed the situation to the “unethical” practices in the fuel oil business, alleging that “traders and motorists are selling it on the black market.”

Describing the conflict in the Middle East as a “sudden disaster”, Fakhrul said: “The war between Iran, the US and Israel has affected the entire world. Bangladesh has also been severely affected.

“The price of fuel oil has increased here [in Bangladesh], hasn’t it?”

He admitted that long queue of motorcycles have regularly been seen front of petrol pumps, but argued that there is no supply crunch.

He said, “Unfortunately, some people have started an unethical business here [in the country] with fuel oil.

Fakhrul, also the local government minister, said such business is harmful to the country and its people.

Warning of action against such unethical business, he said deputy commissioners have been ordered to look into the matter.

Strict monitoring and measures should be in place to ensure nobody can sell fuel oil while exploiting irregularities, Fakhrul said, before highlighting the government activities, especially on agriculture.

Fakhrul said canals are being dug nationwide to facilitate irrigation.

"The government is working to ensure farmers get fair prices for their crops,” he added.