Unless we remain true to Bangabandhu�s vision, road march on 9th August to observe National Energy Security Day becomes a useless parade and discussions on the day become mere clich�s
Thoughts on National Energy Security Day
Saleque Sufi
It is pleasing to know that Bangladesh government has started observing the national energy security day on 9th August every year. That day in 1975 less than a week before Bangabandhu along with most of his family members were brutally massacred by the planted agents of the enemies of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu inspired Bangladesh to acquire five largest gas fields Titas, Habiganj, Bakhrabad, Rashidpoor and Koillastilla from Anglo Dutch energy giant Shell BV for a mere 4.5 Million Pound sterling.
Everyone who has some knowledge of natural gas industry and Bangladesh energy scenario will definitely appreciate how the natural gas from these five fields have served the national energy security over the past four decades and still making major contributions. We have seen how a military dictator leased the extensive area of Sylhet to an unknown company, Scimitar, following discovery of oil while drilling for gas at Sylhet 7. We know how a discovered and Petrobangla-owned gas field Jalalabad was handed over to another controversial company, Occidental. We are also aware of scandals of NIKO taking over Petrobangla-owned Chatak; Feni discovered gas fields and virgin Tengratilla prospect. We have seen how Bangladeshs national interest was compromised in Magurchara and Tengratilla blow out episodes. Bangabandhu led winning back the national resource and creating national institution BOGMC ( Now Petrobangla ) to champion harnessing and developing own petroleum resources while others leased or handed over discovered resources in non-transparent and controversial manners.
What lessons the National Energy Security Day teach us? Bangabandhu on few occasions told us as BUET Chemical Engineering undergraduates. This is Shaikhs Country. It has huge untapped Petroleum Resources. Learn the skills, work with commitments, work honestly for the country; I need golden sons for creating golden Bengal. Dr Kamal Hossain will evidence what vision Bangabandhu had when he masterminded the creation of BOGMC and BMDC. He sent Kamal Hossian to learn about PETRONAS, PERTAMINA.
PETRONAS is now symbol of Malaysia as great Malaysian Mahathir Mohammad created Bhumiputra concept for PETRONAS. But absence of Bangabandhu made Petrobangla to suffer its present diminishing presence. Few hundred well accomplished Petrobangla executives are working in good positions abroad or outside Petrobangla inside Bangladesh. Many were politically victimized. Some very ordinary retired military officials (few exceptions excluded) and bureaucrats like black money driving out the white money from money market. Petrobanagla and its companies are now mere shadow of its glorious past. Can we do soul searching? Can we take a fresh vow to revitalize our Petrobangla for championing petroleum and mining resources exploration and exploitation?
How long Bangabandhu government in a war ravaged country and at the infancy took to formulate Model production sharing contract (PSC) and select 6 international oil companies (IOCs) for 8 offshore blocks in the Bay of Bengal for oil exploration following the first major oil shock in 1970s ? Now with much better and smarter looking executives, Bangladesh takes years to even find competent IOCs for concluding PSCs, struggles to develop a professional unit to manage PSC. Does anyone realize how far we have moved out of Bangabandhu dreams and vision of own fuel creating backbone of national energy security.
On the 40th anniversary of Bangabandhu killing, we he energy professionals inspired in our committed endeavors find it really difficult to understand why we cannot explore and exploit our own coal, why we cannot be more proactive to explore and exploit unexplored petroleum resources at onshore frontiers and offshore? Why we cannot encourage our brilliant present generation to study Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Geology and Mining Engineering and lead national efforts like Bhumiputra did for PETRONAS?
We know Bangladesh for long term energy security has to keep pursuing all options for diversifying fuel mix. But how can imported coal or gas be preferred over local coal and gas for short and midterm? Are we not showing disregards to Bangabandhu vision? Is mere marching on the street ceremoniously enough to show respect to the greatest Bangladeshi ever born?
We know Bangabandhu daughter is working to the best of her ability confronting huge all round challenges and conspiracies. Why her patriotic advisers are not explaining the plain and simple logic that mining own coal and relying on own fuel is the best for midterm energy security?
Professionals, industrialists and business communities are united in opinion about it. Many local and international experts are advising. We are well aware of Bangabandhus vision. We NRB energy professionals are ready to assist in the best manner to support Bangladesh energy professionals capacity development efforts. We know only the present government of PM Hasina can take bold initiative of mining own coal and start setting up mine mouth coal fired large power plants with immediate effect. Any delay will continue changing economics making it dearer.
We know present government only can take bold initiatives for opening all onshore blocks side by side with offshore for extensive exploration of petroleum resources through restructuring PSCs. We know only present government can take major initiatives for capacity development of own professionals and rely on professionals advice. And these are the right ways of remembering Bangabandhu, right motives for celebrating National Energy Security day. Unless we remain true to Bangabandhus vision, road march to observe National Energy Security Day on 9th August becomes a useless parade and discussions on the day become clichs only.
The writer is Contributing Editor of the Energy and Power magazine
