Govt celebrates power sector success in grand style
The government on Tuesday celebrated its power generation capacity of over 10,000 MW in a grand style and cheerful jubilation as Bangladesh had to suffer from a nagging power crisis barely five years back before the AL-led Grand Alliance government assumed office in January, 2009.
Inaugurating the celebration of ‘Alok Utsab’ (illumination festival) and the Jatiya Bidyut Saptaha-2013 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), the Prime Minister said that with this achievement of crossing power generation capacity of 10,000 MW, the country launched its journey to the path of light since power is the ‘driving force of development’.
“It’s a joyous day for us. It’s a successful and historic day for our government. It’s a day of setting a milestone and materialising our commitment to people,” she added.
The country celebrated its capacity of producing 10,000 MW of electricity this evening with a spectacular fireworks and laser show at scenic Hatirjheel enchanting thousands of people.
The lake, meticulously designed with bridges, overpasses and walkways at the heart of the city wore a festive look during the amasing fireworks.
The Prime Minister switched on the celebration from (BICC) in the evening alongside inaugurating the Jatiya Bidyut Saptaha-2013.
She said the election manifesto of the present AL-led Grand Alliance government in 2008 was aimed at raising the power generation to 7,000 MW in 2013, but now the capacity has exceeded 10,000 MW. “And to attain this capacity, we had to endure various criticisms from different quarters.”
In December 2013, the premier said, the country’s power generation capacity would hit 10,979 MW while 770 MW of more power would be added to the national grid further in January 2014. “We’re moving ahead and continue to move ahead.”
Hasina thanked all concerned including the Ministry official and employees and also the Finance Minister for extending his support with necessary funds for raising the country’s power generation capacity to such a height.
Hasina also vowed to build a hunger and poverty free prosperous middle-income Bangladesh by 2021 as dreamt by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
From the function, the Prime Minister inaugurated the activity of realizing electricity bill through SMS through state-run mobile operator Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd from a consumer at Kapasia in Gazipur. She also talked to local MP Simin Hossain Rimi through a video conferencing.
Hasina also distributed awards among 10 winners in different categories marking the Jatiya Bidyut Saptaha-2013 as well as witnessed a cultural function.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, PM’s adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Brig Gen (retd) Enamul Haque, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Power and Energy Maj Gen (retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, ERD secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Energy Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan while Power Secretary Monwar Islam delivered the address of welcome.
Source: UNB Connect
