Top officials of companies under Petrobangla to change: Adviser Kabir

Chairmen and secretaries of companies operating under the state-owned gas company Petrobangla are set to be changed, said Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today (28 August).

"Government officials should come out of the culture of flattering. Corruption is everywhere in the power and energy sector; the secretaries and chairmen of the companies under Petrobangla will soon be replaced," he said at a meeting with officials of the ministry.

Referring to the pervasive corruption within Petrobangla, he added, "No matter how efficient a corrupt secretary or high-ranking person is, if there is evidence, action will be taken against them. Students will be given opportunities if necessary."

He also called for asset disclosures from the heads of the organisations, stating, "I will request an account of their assets, and we will also provide a disclosure of our own."

He emphasised that customer services, such as affordable gas supply and uninterrupted electricity, will be used to measure success and improvements in the sector. 

"We will no longer take projects based on familiar faces. There will be a system of open competition," he said.

Regarding institutional reforms, Fouzul Kabir Khan noted that the focus will be on ensuring service to the general public rather than merely increasing the number of power plants and purchasing fuel at higher prices.