Adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that hundreds of unnecessary projects were taken up by the previous government in the power and energy sector.
“There have been many expensive projects taken up but their returns are negligible, which are not value for money”, he said when a delegation of the World Bank, led by its country director Gayle Martin, met him at the conference room of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Tuesday.
The situation was mainly prevalent in the power and energy sector, he said, adding that this had pushed up the cost and prices in the power and energy sector.
Welcoming the World Bank delegation he said that the current government was established on the basis of the blood and sacrifice of the students. So the foundation of this government is very strong.
He said that the government is trying its best to provide comfort to the people but it is a tough job.
The adviser expressed optimism that the prices of power will come down through increasing the renewable energy on a priority basis and ensuring efficiency in this field.
During the meeting, he discussed in detail about receiving World Bank's budget support in the energy and power sector.
Gayle Martin, Acting Country Director of the World Bank in Bangladesh, thanked the Power and Energy Advisor and said that they are keen to work with the current government sincerely.
He noted that in the meantime, discussions have been held with the Finance Advisor and also with the Bangladesh Bank governor regarding the budget support.
He expressed hope about receiving budget support in the energy and power sector by next December.
Senior Secretary of Power Division Md. Habibur Rahman, Secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division Md. Nurul Alam, Finance Secretary Dr. Md Khaeruzzaman Majumdar along with senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion.
