Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood today said the country has sufficient reserves of fuel and the government has introduced rationing of fuel due to the global situation. 

“There is no fuel crisis. However, considering the global situation, the government will continue to supply fuel through rationing,” he said while addressing a meeting marking the 20th imprisonment day of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman organized by the Uttaranchal Students’ Forum at Jatiya Press Club here.

Iqbal Hassan said the war situation in the Middle East has created uncertainty in the global energy market. “There is a risk that the supply system will be affected if there is a war in the countries from which petroleum comes to Bangladesh. For this, the government has taken a cautious stance and rationing has been introduced to use the stored oil economically.” 

He said, “We have reserves of fuel oil. But we do not know how long the war will last. Therefore, it will be possible to use it for a long time by rationing instead of spending it all at once.”

The minister said several oil tankers at sea have already started reaching Bangladesh. One ship anchored at around 11 am today and another ship is scheduled to anchor, he added. 

Iqbal Hassan, also BNP Standing Committee member, said the stock will increase further when oil supply from these ships starts. “Due to the war situation, long lines are seen at petrol pumps in some places. However, there is no need to panic and hoard oil. The government has no plans to increase oil prices for now,” he added.

The minister said there is no decision yet to increase the price of oil. Therefore, it would not be right to stockpile excess oil out of fear that the price will increase, he added. 

Regarding power supply, he said, the government has given special instructions to ensure that there is no load shedding during Iftar, Tarawih and Sehri during the month of Ramadan. “It has been only 20 days since we came to power, we found the country in a fragile state and Taka 76,000 crore is due,” he added.

Stating that the government needs people's cooperation to make its activities successful, Iqbal said, “No government can function well without people's cooperation. We want the people of the country to use energy consciously and not listen to rumors.” 

Amirul Islam Alim, MP, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni, former Chhatra Dal President Khokon and the organization's general Mujahidul Islam, among others, were present at the event with the forum acting president Farzana Akhter Rimi in the chair.