Bangladesh gas supply may return to normal by second week of September, Rizvi says

Bangladesh’s gas supply could return to normal by the first or second week of September, BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, as the country faces an ongoing power and energy crisis.

Speaking after paying tribute at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Rizvi said there were also signs that electricity supplies would improve. He said a technical fault at the LNG terminal in Maheshkhali had been repaired and regasification had resumed.

Rizvi blamed global conditions, including the US-Iran conflict and disruptions affecting fuel-carrying vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the crisis had not been created by either the BNP or the government, and that the government had allocated an additional Tk 40,000 crore for the power and energy sectors.

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Normal gas supply will be ensured by the first or second week of September. We can also see some signs that electricity supply will be available

He argued that people generally accept crises when they believe the government did not cause them and can see sincere efforts to resolve them. Rizvi said the current government was showing the highest level of sincerity in addressing the situation.

He also said the government was working to fulfill election pledges, including the Farmers’ Card, Family Card and allowances for imams and muezzins. He said commitments in the BNP’s 31-point reform plan, election manifesto and Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030 were being implemented.

Asked about the relationship between the BNP and the government, Rizvi said the two had separate roles but that the BNP and its alliance were responsible for running the country. He also defended ministers retaining party positions and said voters would judge how sincerely the government handled the crisis.

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The party is in its place, and the government is in its place. But the responsibility of running the government lies with the BNP and the BNP alliance