The supplies of energy has been disrupted due to skyrocketing outstanding bills to different consumers level, which now stand at Tk 186.49 billion, raising concerns for policymakers.
It also pushed to pay the bills to international oil companies (IOC’s) like Chevron and Tullow.
“The energy sector has an outstanding natural gas bill of Tk 186.49 billion now. We are trying to minimise the arrears,” Energy and Mineral Resources Division secretary Md Nurul Alam told the Daily Sun.
He said the realization of the bills will help to smooth supply of natural gas.
The US company Chevron has already sought due bills of over UDS$280 million, according to Petrobangla sources. Besides, LNG suppliers in Qatar and Oman also sought their unpaid bills, officials said.
“We have no deposits exist in our banks to pay bills to foreign companies,” an official said on the condition of anonymity said.
He added the outstanding bills to different consumers end only the option. But, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Independent Power Producers have denied to pay the bills in a single consignment as they have yet to realize the electricity bills from bulk power suppliers.
Most households suffer nowadays because of the low pressure in the supply of gas during the daytime. It pushes up the cost of living for consumers and worsens the inflation situation.
