No increase in fuel prices ahead of Eid: minister
Staff Correspondent
The government on Saturday assured the public that Bangladesh had sufficient reserves of fuel oils and liquefied natural gas and was also exploring alternative sources for imports to prevent any disruption in supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Power and energy minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku said that there was no reason for public concern as the country currently held adequate stocks of fuel oils.
While speaking to New Age by phone on Saturday, the minister also assured that fuel oil prices would not be increased before Eid-ul-Fitr.
‘We have no shortage of oil and we have sufficient reserves and additional shipments are also on the way,’ he told reporters after a meeting with prime minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon in the capital.
Two more vessels carrying fuel oil are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on March 9, which would further strengthen the supply, the minister said.
Tuku said that the government was working to secure alternative sources of fuel imports in addition to its existing suppliers.
Despite repeated government assurances, the rush of consumers to filling stations has continued to grow over the past few days amid fears of fuel shortages and price hikes.
In response, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation on Friday introduced rationing of petroleum fuels to ensure fair distribution amid concerns arising from the Gulf conflict.
Under the measures, motorbikes and private cars are limited to two and 10 litres of petrol per visit, respectively, while SUVs, jeeps, and microbuses can receive 20–25 litres.
Nevertheless, long queues of vehicles kept forming at petrol pumps across the capital, reflecting persistent public anxiety over fuel availability.
Tuku said that the meeting with the prime minister focused on the global energy situation and its possible implications for Bangladesh, particularly in light of the war in the Middle East that has raised concerns about fuel supplies worldwide.
He explained that the government had introduced limited rationing measures as a precaution due to uncertainties surrounding the duration of the conflict in the Middle East.
‘There is uncertainty about how long the war will continue. For that reason we have introduced rationing. But people have become panicked because of the measure and started stockpiling,’ Tuku said.
The minister requested all consumers not to rush to buy fuel, saying that the government had sufficient reserves and was supplying oil to petrol pumps regularly.
Tuku also urged motorists not to queue overnight for fuel, saying that such behaviour was unnecessary as adequate supplies were being maintained.
‘Petrol pumps are receiving fuel according to fixed allocations, but if any pump sells out early due to excessive demand, it will have to wait until the next day’s supply,’ he mentioned.
The minister said that the government would begin deploying mobile courts from Sunday to prevent irregularities and ensure proper distribution.
State minister for power and energy Anindya Islam Amit echoed the assurance, saying that the government was also working to secure alternative import sources to ensure that no shortage would arise in the coming days.
He said that the government remained cautious given the evolving global situation.
‘Considering the global circumstances, we will remain careful and everyone should stay aware,’ Amit said.