Cancel deal with Asia Energy

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon stages a demonstration at Shahbagh in the city yesterday demanding immediate cancellation of Phulbari Coal Project contract signed with the Asia Energy Corporation. PHOTO: STAR

Terming the contract against the interest of the country, they said extraction of coal in open-pit system will cause damage to the environment of the whole area and will also hinder the economic activities of the area.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) organised the rally at Shahbagh in the city where representatives of 15 environmentalist organisations including Nagorik Sanghati, Green Voice, Sheba, Sundar Jibon, Peace, Citizen Rights Movement, and The Hunger Project expressed solidarity with Bapa.

The speakers said the stand of Asia Energy is still unclear. On one hand, the energy adviser said the Asia Energy has got the contract to monitor while officials of the AEC claimed the contract was to extract coal.

According to the contract, the Asia Energy will extract coal for 30 years in an open-pit system and will export two thirds of the quantity. The company will hold the ownership during this period and Bangladesh will receive only six percent royalty of it as well as tax and duty, they said.

The speakers also demanded formulation of a strategy for an effective energy policy in cooperation with the civil society, economists and politicians.

Bapa Vice President Syed ANM Wahed presided over the rally where former vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof Kazi Saleh Ahmed, Engineer Mohammad Enamul Haque, Engineer Sarder M Amin, Alamgir Kabir and Advocate Abed Reza also spoke.