National Energy Security Day-2014 Observed: Calls For Motivating Consumers To Save Energy

The day has been observed over the last few years in remembering Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's decision to purchase five gas fields from a foreign company in August 9, 1975.

Petrobanga organized various programmes, including rally and seminar in observance of the day.

Speaking at a seminar, Prime Minister's energy adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury urged the consumers to use energy saving devices to save energy for the development of the country.

"Over the last few years we are trying to motivate household, commercial and industrial consumers to use energy saving devices to save energy. If energy saving devices are not used, steps would be taken to compel the consumers to use such devices to save energy," said the adviser.

At the beginning of the seminar one-minute silence was observed to pay respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members who embraced martyrdom on August 15, 1975.

He said under a legal mechanism the consumers will be given a specific timeframe to use energy saving devices. "If they fail to do so, they will not be supplied energy anymore," he added.

Referring to a research paper, he said energy use could be saved one third through using efficient devices in home and industrial appliances.

Energy secretary Abu Bakar Siddique presided over the seminar which was also addressed by State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid, parliamentary standing committee chairman on power and energy ministry Tajul Islam and Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) chairman AR Khan.

State Minister Nasrul Hamid said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken a historic decision by taking over five gas fields from a foreign company that proved his bold leadership. Following the path, his daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also taken many decisions for the development of the energy sector.

He criticized the last BNP-led alliance government's failure to take right decision for energy sector and said now the country is suffering gas crisis for not taking right decision.

"We are now planning to become a middle income country by 2021 . . . development of human resource is urgently needed to achieve this goal," he said, adding, " We need more geologists, miners and researchers in energy sector."

Appreciating the Bapex for its role in energy sector, he said Bapex with more than 60 years experience has all expertise to be an international company.

Power Secretary Monwar Islam said the Power Division has converted a good number of simple cycle power plants into combined cycle ones to raise their efficiency with the use of same gas supply.

Petrobangla chairman Dr Hussain Monsur, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) chairman Md Eunusur Rahman and Geological Survey of Bangladesh's director general Sirajur Rahman Khan also addressed the seminar.

As part of the day's programmes, a colourful rally was brought out from the central Shaheed Minar in the morning. At the outset of the Prime Minister's energy affairs adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, secretary Md Abubakar Siddique and Petrobangla chairman Prof Dr Hossain Munsur, among others, took part in the rally that ended at the National Press Club.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)