The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Interests of local residents in the coal mining areas have to be given topmost priority in finalising coal policy, said Dr M Tamim.

"Bangladesh has to shift to other power sources as natural gas is about to exhaust. Coal is most likely the next option but its extraction strategy must have to ensure interests of local livelihood," said the Special Assistant to Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Power and Energy.

According to him, it is high time for Bangladesh to develop its coalmines. But finalisation of national coal policy must consider social, geo-political and geological situations of the particular mining area. Involving local experts and ensuring full compensation is must in coal sector development, he added.

"Beside compensation, coalmine development plan needs to generate employment, particularly for local women. This would ensure local cooperation in the development process," said Dr Tamim.

He was addressing a seminar yesterday on 'Mining and Community Livelihood in Bangladesh', organised by Petrobangla at its auditorium in the capital. Energy Secretary Mohammad Mohsin and Chairman Petrobangla Jalal Ahmed also spoke at the seminar.

"We can't wait. Whatever the decision is, it has to be taken very fast in a transparent and accountable manner," he added.

It has to be worked out how the impacts on the environment and local community could be minimised apart from setting the priorities between food and energy security.

"It is the duty of Government to ensure that the displaced people in coal mining areas would get more benefits than those who were displaced in the Uttara and Purbachal town development projects, because coal mining is more profitable business," he added.

He also said that the reserve of gas, the country's main source of energy on which 85 per cent of power generation depends, is depleting very.

The CA's Special Assistant said there might be more untapped gas reserves.

"If we want to discover this gas reserve, about $8 billion investment will be required. Do we afford to take risk with this huge investment?" he asked.

Mentioning the unaffordable cost involved in gas import from Myanmar and Qatar, he said the cost would be from $5 to $7 per 1,000 cubic feet (mcf) against about 2.5 US dollars in Bangladesh.

Similarly, he said, the cost of coal is going up fast like that of petroleum fuel. He said a few years back the price of per metric ton of coal was $30 to $40, now it has gone up to $160.