In name of investigative journalism, Netra News, an underground obscure portal, is nothing but on a mission of personal revenge and implementation of business interest of vested quarters. They are creating controversy and defaming individuals or organizations without any kind of factual evidence. What it has tried to say based on so-called isolated phone conversations and information is a shame for investigative journalism. Their so-called report says probable corruption’ where investigative journalism requires facts and documents. But the investigative journalism of Netra News contains full of fictional content.
According to the newspaper, a consortium has wanted to implement the project with its own money. There is no government involvement here. The government will only lease them space for a longer period. Their proposal has neither been accepted yet nor has any agreement been signed. How come will the allegation of corruption come here?
Such corruption allegations were also raised in the Padma Bridge project. It was claimed then that there was widespread corruption in the project. But the construction work of Padma Bridge did not start yet in reality. A Canadian court later ruled that the allegations of corruption in the Padma Bridge were false, baseless and fabricated. But by that time, the damage to Bangladesh was done. The anti-Bangladesh quarters who always oppose the country’s development already achieved their target as the World Bank withdrew itself from financing the Padma Bridge based on the false allegation.
But the question is why there is such a report now?
Yes, this question should be asked as people need to know who the enemies of Bangladeshi people are and who wants to fill their own pockets with people’s money?
The LPG market is expanding due to its increasing demand. And only a few trader syndicates control the whole LPG market alone. They are so powerful that turning a day into a night is a trivial matter for them. In fact, the price of LPG is not within the reach of ordinary people. In such a context, the government has set a target to supply LPG to consumers at affordable prices.
A consortium has proposed to build an LPG terminal at Matarbari deep sea in Cox’s Bazar with an investment of USD 300 million which is still in the feasibility study stage. If the terminal is constructed, annually 10 to 12 lakh tons of LPG can be supplied to people from here.
The private sector is importing LPG from Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East. It costs USD 100-110 per tonne to bring 2,000 to 3,000 tons of LPG in one ship. But if 35 to 40 thousand tons of LPG can be imported in one big ship, the cost will be USD 65 to 70 dollars – saving USD 35-50 dollars per ton. The price of a 12 kg LPG cylinder, which people used most in the country, will fall by about BDT 300, which means about 28 per cent. But influential LPG syndicates have been opposing the project from the beginning to continue their monopoly on the LPG market. A group of journalists, who formerly worked with an English newspaper, are involved in this syndicate.
Who is opposing the terminal?
At present, private LPG companies control 98 per cent of the country’s LPG market. They are also reluctant to accept the LPG price fixed by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). They want to control the price at their will. So, they do not want such a terminal in Maheshkhali from the beginning. And these syndicates consist of those who have been directly opposing this government since 2009.
Sheikh Hasina’s government is determined to provide fuel for the country’s people at a safe and affordable price just as it has delivered electricity to their homes. That is why many initiatives have already been taken. If this LNG terminal of Maheshkhali is built by overcoming all the obstacles, people will get LPG cylinders at a lower price. Considering the country’s environment and the health safety of people, the annual financial value is a lot. So, everyone expects that the interest of any quarter cannot thwart such a great project.
