Oil, gas committee for cancelling all AL-era energy deals

The National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas, Mineral Resources and Power-Port has announced a nationwide rally on November 4 to push for a six-point demand, including the prosecution of "energy criminals" who allegedly exploited the country’s resources over the last 16 years under the Awami League administration.

The committee called for the cancellation and review of all power and energy agreements made during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure and revealed the new protest action during a roundtable at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday. 

They called for reducing power and energy prices, enhancing institutional capabilities in the sector through reforms, boosting local gas production, and implementing competitive bidding for renewable energy projects.

The meeting was chaired by Dhaka City Unit Coordinator Julfiqar Ali and featured speeches by National Committee leader Anu Muhammad, CAB Vice President Prof. M Shamsul Alam, economist MM Akash, and Prof. Anis Chowdhury of Western Sydney University.

Prof. M Shamsul Alam emphasised that energy criminals must face justice. "Without accountability, people will not see justice, and the interim government will lose popular support," he said, also urging the empowerment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to make autonomous decisions on energy pricing.

Anu Muhammad criticised the government for awarding offshore gas block bids to foreign companies without ensuring public ownership of resources. He claimed that the Awami League’s 2010 Speedy Enhancement of Power and Energy Supply Act was enacted to provide indemnity for corruption.

He further demanded the cancellation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, citing potential risks to the lives of 12 million people.

Economist MM Akash argued that changing leaders alone would not reduce corruption: "Only structural reforms can address the root of corruption," he stressed.