Fuel Reserves Rise with Arrival of Two Ships: Energy Minister

Bangladesh’s fuel reserves have increased following the arrival of two fuel-laden ships, but the government will maintain strict rationing due to ongoing uncertainty from the Middle East conflict, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Sunday.

“Once these two ships deliver fuel, our reserves will increase further,” the minister stated while addressing a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club. The event, organized by the Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum, marked the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s imprisonment in 2007 under the military-backed caretaker government.

Tuku stressed that rising reserves do not justify uncontrolled consumption. “We will continue rationing for as long as the war continues.”

He explained that the unpredictable duration of the conflict necessitates careful management of supplies. “We do not know when the war will end. That is why we have asked people to use fuel sparingly and introduced rationing so that the reserves last longer. If we consume everything at once, the reserves will quickly run out. But if we manage consumption properly, we will be able to continue for a longer time.”

The minister also addressed widespread rumours of impending price hikes for electricity and fuel. “I want to assure people that we are not increasing power prices for now,” he said.

He urged the public not to panic or hoard fuel out of fear of future increases. “There is no shortage of fuel, but rationing must continue. We do not know when the war will end, and people should understand that.”

Tuku called on BNP leaders, activists, and citizens to remain vigilant against fuel smuggling and black-market sales.

Reflecting on the inherited challenges in the power sector, the minister said the current administration took over a fragile system burdened with outstanding dues of around Tk 76,000 crore. “Despite the challenges, we have managed to keep the system stable so far, and we hope it will remain stable in the future.”

He credited special instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during Iftar, Tarawih, and Sehri throughout the past 20 days of Ramadan.