Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has attributed the recent fuel crisis to negligence by oil marketing companies, saying failure to comply with official instructions played a major role in the disruption.
He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar organised by the Bangladesh Geological Survey at the BIAM Auditorium in the capital on Saturday.
The minister said that directives issued by the Energy Division were not properly implemented in several instances, which contributed to interruptions in fuel supply.
He also described the long queues at fuel stations as “artificial,” suggesting that there could be political motives behind the situation. “Our own people could not perform properly. If they had, the queues would not have existed. Now there is no queue,” he said.
Tuku said 75 days had passed since he took office and added that he remained focused on the power and energy sector.
He further mentioned his additional responsibility for the mineral resources division, saying it was his first opportunity to work in the sector.
Referring to budget allocation, the minister observed that although “mega budgets” have been announced for years, investment in research remains insufficient. “Countries that lag in research remain dependent on others,” he added.
