The Press Release was first published in The Financial Express. Click here to read the original publication.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has sought the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the development in the country’s energy sector.

The adviser sought the cooperation as a UNDP delegation led by its Resident Representative in Bangladesh Stefan Liller paid a courtesy call on him at his Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry office in the Secretariat in Dhaka, BSS reported on Tuesday (3rd September) citing a press release.

Fouzul, also adviser for the ministries of road transport and bridges as well as railways, said during the tenure of the previous government, unplanned development projects were taken and implemented in all sectors in the country.

In most of the cases, the project has been implemented at a cost much higher than the reasonable cost, he added.

Referring to his recent visit to a power plant, the energy adviser said a power plant has been set up in Khulna at a cost of Taka 9,000 crore without making arrangements for fuel supply.

The Padma Bridge Rail Link project has been implemented at a cost of more than Taka 39,000 crore, he said, adding that as per the projection, the annual income from its Dhaka-Bhanga part was estimated at Taka 1,400 crore.

But in the last six months, the income from the Dhaka-Bhanga part of the Radma Bridge Rail Link was only Taka 37 crore, Fouzul said, adding, such a dire situation would not have happened if these projects had been taken based on the proper feasibility study and actual needs.

The energy adviser said the present government will remain cautious in taking projects so that people's expectations and needs are manifested in the projects and these can be economically profitable.

The UNDP delegation expressed interest in providing support to the development of energy, power, communication and rail networks in Bangladesh; especially they would extend support to increase the use of renewable energy in the country.

They assured of providing financial and technical assistance for the development of solar energy, generating electricity from waste and increasing the use of other renewable energy sources.

The UNDP delegation also assured of releasing previously sanctioned financial grant of about US$6 million as soon as possible.

Road Transport and Highways Division Senior Secretary Md Ehsanul Hoque, Power Division Senior Secretary Md Habibur Rahman and Railways Ministry Secretary Abdul Baki were present at the meeting, among others.