Bangladesh has enough fuel stock: Energy Minister

Bangladesh has adequate fuel reserves and the public should not panic despite concerns over global supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Saturday.

The minister made the statement while speaking to journalists after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office.

He said the government had already informed the Prime Minister about the growing concern among people regarding fuel availability, as many motorists have recently rushed to petrol pumps across the country to purchase petrol and diesel.

“There is sufficient stock of all types of fuel. We want to assure people that there is no reason to panic,” the minister said.

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud also noted that the government is working to secure alternative supply sources in order to prevent any possible disruption in the future.

He added that two additional fuel-carrying vessels are expected to arrive in the country on 9 March, which will further strengthen Bangladesh’s fuel reserves.

To address public inconvenience and discourage panic buying, the government will begin deploying mobile courts from Sunday to monitor fuel stations and ensure that fuel is being sold according to regulations.

The minister said the monitoring drive aims to maintain fair practices in the market and ensure that consumers are not exploited during the current global uncertainty.