CCCI chief seeks remedy to power, water crisis

By Our Correspondent, Ctg
9 October 2005, 18:00 PM
Acting President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) SM Nurul Haque yesterday sent a fax message with seven-point suggestion to the government demanding immediate remedy to the erratic power supply and acute water crisis during the Ramadan and Durga Puja.

"The port city is now facing serious load shedding, for which the production in industries and smooth operation of trade and commerce are being disrupted beyond any imagination," the message read.

"Due to the crisis, the 100 percent export-based readymade garments and industries that produce perishable items have been the worst sufferers, much to the worry of country's economy," the CCCI leader said in the message.

"Bangladesh may lose many of its foreign buyers as well as markets abroad if we can't get rid of the current situation owing to the shortage of power and water," he said.

As for interim steps, Nurul Haque suggested not supplying power generated by the Kaptai hydroelectric plant and Raozan plant to the national grid before meeting the local needs.

He demanded immediate implementation of the government decision to establish 50 power plants with 10MW to 50MW capacities, which he said, can contribute to some extent to mitigate the power crisis.