Natural gas and our development
Md. Habibur Rahman On e-mail
Recently, Indian investor "Tata Group" has submitted a revised proposal of US$3 billion investment for a fertiliser project in Bangladesh. The proposal is very tempting and suitable for our country's development. The government is negotiating for the correct gas price in the context of international prices. But the question is do we really need such foreign investment project in our country, which would vastly consume our natural gas? It is well known that we have adequate gas reserves and according to the experts that reserves would sustain up to 2025. Does it mean that we should use up our total gas reserves? Gas is a natural and non-renewable resource and we should ensure optimum and sustainable use of our natural resource for overall development of the country. Our strategy must focus on future demand of gas and how we will cope with it when there will be no gas reserves available. In Bangladesh, most households in the northern, western parts do not have access to gas and they are dependent on firewood or other alternatives. This puts tremendous pressure on natural forest resources and also causes vital financial setback to many poor people in the country. Yet, the government didn't express any future plan or concern to provide gas throughout the country for every family. It would be appropriate to accept proposals from foreign investors after fulfilling the local gas demand. People have the primary right on their resources, not the foreign investors. If we can develop and implement a balanced way of using our natural resources by ourselves, it will be more beneficial in the long run than the limited foreign currency earned from investors. This practice will reduce dependency on foreign organisations. We should try to ensure various uses of natural gas that will also create thousands of jobs and develop new technologies. Use of natural gas as transport fuel (Compressed Natural Gas) is a very good example in the context. But still this project is facing many obstacles due to lack of smooth gas supply. Our economy is vastly dependent on foreign aid, which has a negative impact on the economic growth and development of the country. We have to trust ourselves and formulate our own strategy for real development. This may put us in trouble at the initial stage but the outcome will be a self dependent Bangladesh in near future. Once our finance minister very rightly pointed out that we have to be self-sufficient by using our own resources, rather than depending on foreign aid. There are intellectuals and experts in the fields of natural resources, economic development, and poverty alleviation. Their opinions must be sought before taking any decision.
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