Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has taken a series of measures to maintain stable fuel distribution across the country, including increasing supplies in divisional cities and directing its marketing companies to ensure direct delivery of fuel to registered customers.
According to a BPC press release, the corporation has decided to increase the supply of octane and petrol in divisional cities by 10 per cent to ensure continued availability of fuel amid the ongoing global energy crisis.
Earlier, BPC had planned to cut the supply of octane and petrol in divisional cities by 25 per cent.
However, under the revised allocation plan, the reduction has been lowered to 15 per cent, reflecting the government’s effort to balance supply with rising demand.
The decision, announced in a press release signed by BPC Secretary Shohina Sultan, was taken considering the global situation and the need to meet public demand without disruption.
To implement the revised allocation plan, BPC has instructed depot superintendents, sales officers and dealers or agents of its marketing companies to take necessary measures to ensure smooth fuel distribution according to the updated supply chart.
In a separate directive, the state-owned corporation has asked its marketing companies to supply fuel oil directly to registered customers to avoid any disruption in the supply chain.
According to BPC, fuel shipments are arriving in the country regularly in line with the import schedule. At the same time, fuel oil is being transported from main storage facilities to depots across the country using rail wagons and tankers.
The corporation said its marketing companies have already been instructed to maintain direct fuel supply to registered customers, and the process is continuing accordingly.
The companies operating under BPC include Eastern Refinery Limited, Padma Oil Company Limited, Meghna Petroleum Limited, Jamuna Oil Company Limited, Eastern Lubricants Blenders PLC, LP Gas Limited, Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited and Petroleum Transmission Company PLC.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is also increasing imports to stabilise fuel supply. Amid panic buying and concerns in the market, the country imported 5,000 tonnes of diesel from India recently, just a day after more than 27,000 tonnes were imported.
BPC Chairman Muhammad Rezanur Rahman confirmed the diesel imports.
The government has also sought assistance from China to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply from Chinese refineries under a long-term agreement, following reports of export restrictions by some Chinese suppliers.
Despite the global energy uncertainty, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit has said the government has no plan to raise fuel or electricity prices, assuring that Bangladesh has the capacity to maintain normal energy supply until May.
