State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid hoped that there will be no gas crisis in the country's industries during the winter.
“Household may have low pressure of gas as a result of supplying gas mainly to industries. But there we have left the option of LPG as an alternative,” he added.
The state minister said this while taking questions from reporters at a seminar organised at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.
Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) and Federal Institute for Geo-sciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany jointly organised the event with the achievement of the project titled 'Geo-information for Urban Planning and adaptation to Climate Change'.
In the speech of the chief guest at the seminar, the state minister said that “Currently the issue of power crisis has been addressed. We hope there will be no more problems in the future. Unless there is a drastic change in world energy, the situation looks to be in our favour.”
In response to a question regarding the increase in prices of electricity at the consumer level, the minister said, "Some distribution companies have already submitted proposal to increase the prices. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will fixed the price. In special cases, the ministry can fix the price in order to avoid delays.”
Highlighting the role of the project, Nasrul Hamid said that ego-scientific data must be used in the construction of sustainable infrastructure. It also should be reflected in the area-wise master plan.
“Geo information has played vital roles in various activities. When we worked on Matarbari port development, we spent about two hundred million dollars extra for land development. After geo information we know that how difficult this place is,” he added.
The state minister said that GSB has made the biggest discovery in Bangladesh, now it is working with Jamuna sand. There are many valuable minerals. However, GSB have to expand its research area. The success rate can be further increased if advanced technologies related to geological survey are applied. All geoscientific data need to have a policy of use.
The seminar highlighted the importance of sustainable urban planning and construction of buildings according to building regulations considering soil quality, disaster risk.
Among others LGRD Secretary Mohammad Ibrahim, Housing and Public Works Secretary Kazi Washi Uddin, German Ambassador AchimTroster, GSB Director General Mohammad Ilyas Hossain, German project coordinator Lena Maria Lorenzen, GSB project director Mohammad Ashraful Kamal, BGR project manager Werner Buchert were also present at the event.
