Shafiqul claims state-coordinated robbery in power sector

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, alleged on Tuesday that there has been robbery in the power sector with state cooperation.

He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at the "DJFB Talk" event, organized by the Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (DJFB) on Wednesday, February 26, at the NEC conference room in the city.

Alam emphasized the need for restoring discipline in the energy sector, stating, “There has been a state-sponsored robbery in this sector.” He assured that efforts are underway to find permanent solutions in the electricity sector, with ongoing talks involving major power companies. “We aim to drill numerous wells for gas exploration,” he added.

He also noted that enhancing the efficiency of Chittagong Port is crucial to attracting foreign investment. “If the efficiency of this port is not improved, investments will not increase. To facilitate re-export, the efficiency of Chittagong must be further developed. We are in discussions with major companies worldwide and aim to secure direct foreign investment by improving every port in Chittagong.”

The Press Secretary further claimed that funds had been stolen from the banks. "Former Awami League Minister Saifuzzaman had a tunnel built for himself. The country’s economy was on the verge of collapse. The recovery of the economy in just six months is nothing short of a miracle," he remarked. He also noted that to tackle wastefulness, taxes had been increased, and a significant portion of the budget is now allocated toward repaying foreign loans.

Alam stressed, “If the energy system is inefficient, no one will invest. The power system has been designed for robbery. Investment is needed in the country, but it has not occurred.” He criticized the previous government for spending all available funds without a clear plan, pointing out that excessive money had been allocated to 560 model mosques, which could have been done at a lower cost. He also remarked on the poorly planned railway tracks that prevent trains from running throughout the day, describing it as a waste of public funds.