Signing of energy charter to put state at risk: CAB

The signing of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) will threaten sovereignty of Bangladesh, the speakers said on Thursday at a media dialogue organized by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, a professor of University of Dhaka, said at the dialogue earlier this year, the ECT came under discussion again following the European Commission’s amendment proposal.

The Government of Bangladesh also agreed in principle to sign this agreement. Although the agreement was made in 1994 by Netherlands that are now trying to withdraw from it because the treaty will not preserve equal rights for every country.

The ECT will be a boon for the big energy investors but it will be a loss for small countries like Bangladesh, added Tanzimuddin Khan.

CAB President Golam Rahman in his introductory speech said energy and power is the heart of the economy.

“We need independent policy for the energy security. Inflation in our country is under some control so far. Fuel prices are somewhat stable. In the countries where fuel prices fluctuate automatically, inflation is much higher,” he said.

Professor Shamsul Alam, Senior Vice President of CAB said: ‘’Illegal and unauthorized power of administration, inactivity of regulatory bodies and crisis of good governance are the major obstacles in the way of energy sector in Bangladesh.’’

He said Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) was responsible for providing energy at affordable prices.

But they are not following the law properly. They are approving looting. No initiative is visible from the government to protect the interests of consumers.

“And now the government took a wrong decision to sign ECT threatening our independent energy security,’’ he cautioned.