A nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and business entities was functional behind the corruption in the energy and power sector, Prof M Tamim, energy expert, said on Saturday.
“No power plants had been set up without political and financial trade-offs. During the previous government, the prime minister’s centralised power facilitated corruption in the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said speaking at a shadow parliamentary debate programme as the chief guest.
According to him, decentralising power might help mitigate such malpractice.
He also criticised corruption within businesses like S Alam and Summit groups.
The Debate for Democracy organised the debate titled “Bureaucrats Are More Responsible than Politicians for Corruption in the Energy and Power Sectors” at the FDC auditorium in the capital.
With regard to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), he claimed that the Awami League government would set higher fuel price showing losses.
Prof Tamim also pointed fingers at the present government for its failure to bring transparency to these processes.
The energy expert also raised concerns over the power purchase agreement with Adani Group which was finalised within three days without adequate discussions.
“The deal includes paying 100 percent capacity charges while also paying for an additional 40 percent unused power,” he noted, terming the deal “unfair.” He also called for a review of it.
Tamim warned that unless the so-called “mafia system” in the energy and power sectors is dismantled and those involved are held accountable, systemic corruption will persist.
The energy expert also criticised the previous government’s reliance on LNG imports, which he said was lucrative for the commission business rather than pursuing domestic gas exploration and extraction.
He further highlighted the lack of accountability in determining prices, stating, “The AL government avoided public hearings and instead, used the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to set energy and fuel prices.”
Chairing the event, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury, chairman of Debate for Democracy Kiran, said the 2010 indemnity law of the AL government was extended repeatedly to facilitate corruption in power generation, distribution, and procurement projects.
He highlighted significant discrepancies in power plant projects, including the absence of distribution and transmission lines to support electricity generation. Despite massive expenditures, load-shedding persisted.
He also criticised the past government’s misleading claims of achieving 100 percent electrification, calling it a “false narrative.”
He also cited corruption in pre-paid electricity meters and industrial gas supply.
