Staff Correspondent: A disruption in liquefied natural gas (LNG) offloading due to rough seas has led to a gas supply shortage, affecting several industrial zones. However, gas supply is expected to improve later on Saturday, according to Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday morning (31 May) during a visit to factories in Ashulia, the adviser said, "We were expecting to resolve the supply issues a couple of days earlier, but the turbulent sea prevented LNG offloading from the incoming ship."
He further stated that measures are being taken to enhance the situation starting on Saturday. "One LNG cargo has already arrived. If offloading can be completed by this afternoon, we'll see a marked improvement in gas availability. We are actively monitoring the situation," he added.
The adviser also mentioned concerns over illegal gas connections in Gazipur. "We've received reports of a significant number of unauthorised connections in the Gazipur area. Action is being taken against Titas Gas officials found to be involved in these irregularities."
On the broader issue of energy supply to industries, Mr Khan said, "I've come in person to assess the supply of gas and electricity. Previously, I visited Savar as well. We had been hearing complaints from factory owners, but we needed to verify the situation on the ground. I can now confirm that there is indeed a gas shortage."
Accompanying the adviser during the visit were Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, Titas Gas Managing Director Shahnewaz Parvez, Rural Electrification Board Chairman Major General SM Ziaul Azim, and Towal Tex Ltd Director M Shahadat Hossain Sohel.
The government hopes that weather conditions will improve enough to allow prompt offloading of LNG, restoring balance to the supply chain and alleviating pressure on industrial production.
Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Power, Energy and Minerals, on Saturday inspected Talha Fabrics Limited of Noman Group located in Bhawal Mirzapur. Mohammad Abdullah Zaber, Managing Director of Noman Group, showed it to the Energy Advisor. During the inspection, the Energy Advisor found 9 PSIG pressure out of the permitted incoming inlet pressure of 140 PSIG and an average of 4.75 PSIG out of the permitted outlet pressure of 15 PSIG. In the case of generators, it was only 1.5 PSIG in the case of boilers. The Energy Advisor said that from on Saturday, there will be no more gas shortage in export-oriented factories in the interest of the country's larger exports.