Courtesy: S M Tanvir.

One Bangladesh newspaper now being spearheaded by Engr Mahmudur Rahman, the ex Energy Advisor to PM Khaleda Zia and now a columnist recently carried out a report on alleged corruption in the deal with IOC Chevron regarding installation of a Gas Pipeline Compressor Station on GTCL operated national Gas Grid.

The report indicated an alleged $5 million financial scam against son of PM Hasina Sajib Wajed Joy and his Energy Advisor Dr Tawfique –Elahi Chowdhury. The report quoted unidentified Petrobangla officials making the allegation using Petrobangla letter head pad. Petrobangla and EMRD sources have already refuted that allegation. Dr Tawfique also was surprised and indicated his intention to deal with that matter legally. The matter has got further spices as leader of the opposition also got involved through making a statement condemning the alleged threat to Engr Mahmudur by two ministers for printing the report.

In a democratic country, in a free society any one has right to express opinion on any issue. But media must check and publish news after proper verifications. When such allegations are made against senior policy makers they should be heard before printing such sensitive news. We are not aware whether these were done. On the other hand ministers or government officials can always issue rejoinders and take legal actions.

The allegations against PM Hasina’s son Joy has been made at a time when a section of political leaders are discussing BNP’s decision to make ex PM Khaleda’s son Tareq Rahman the senior Vice chairman of BNP. Several reports are appearing in media about many alleged acts of corruption of Hawa Bhaban which used to be the seat of corruption during BNP – Jamat rule. The report was also published at a time When Dr Tawfiq was busy with a Bangladeshi Road Show seeking investment for Energy sector in London.

This writer do not wish not defend or charge any one. This author initiated the Gas Pipeline Compressor station Project of GTCL in 2004 as Director (Operation) and Project Manager. Some issues of controversy are being discussed here.

Chevron or any other US company can not bribe any company anywhere as per business ethics. Think of the Enron Scandal in India, think of Siemens scandal world over. US auditing system will unearth any wrong doings and the company concerned will have serious damage to its business.

Since a Bangladeshi newspaper has raised this issue it will be definitely dealt with appropriately. Persons concerned against whom the allegation has been made may also take legal recourse.

But considering the sensitivity of the matter let us try to discuss the matter in some depths. GTCL is a 100% government owned company entrusted to build, own, operate and maintain all Gas transmission pipelines and ancillary facilities. It has natural monopoly of Gas Transmission in Bangladesh. Since formation in 1993 it has taken over transmission assets from other companies and is operating national gas grid. GTCL evacuates Gas from all production Companies (National or IOCs) and transports through its grid to downstream Distribution Companies. The battery limit of production companies are the downstream flange of Custody Transfer metering stations. Beyond these the production companies have no scope to infringe GTCL premises.

Chevron like other IOCs can explore and develop any gas prospect in its assigned blocks under Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) with Petrobangla and Government of Bangladesh. GTCL or any other PB company have no contractual link with Chevron or any IOC. Gas produced by IOCs is traded with Petrobangla under specific Gas Purchase and Sales Agreement (GPSA) applicable for a particular gas field. IOCs explore and develop Gas fields under cost recovery which is made from Petrobangla share of Gas from the field included in PSC and GPSA. IOCs make upfront investment in survey, exploration and development of gas fields. They may construct sales lone to deliver gas to designated locations of national gas grid. Chevron built such sales lines in Jalalabad, Moulavibazar and Bibiyana Gas Field under cost recovery.

GTCL in 2004 using gas system simulation software acquired from Cairn through Petro Bangla carried out extensive simulation work of national gas grid in the wake of gas transmission crisis. It was found that system upgrading would be essential by 2008 to evacuate possible additional gas available from greater Sylhet areas for transmission to gas markets in South east, North West and central areas. Several gas transmission pipelines and three Pipeline Compressor stations were identified. At that stage Moulavibazar Gas field was under development and talks on Bibiyana development was at matured stage.

We ten Gas engineers (6 no longer in Bangladesh Gas Sector) were exposed to Gas Transmission technology during 12 weeks training on Gas Transmission with leading West European Gas Transmission Company Gasuine BV, the Netherlands in 1988. Later in 1995 we also visited some major Compressor stations in Alberta Canada. In 2003 we visited Williams operated Compressor station in Washington and in 2004 we spent a day in PETRONAS Compressor station in Kualalampur. Based on our experience and analysis of the comparative cost and benefits of Compressor stations and additional loop lines we struggled to convince the naive Petro Bangla management at that time to opt for three compressor stations at Muchai, Ashuganj and Elenga. The Compressor stations were required to be operational by April 2008. ADB engaged consultant also endorsed our recommendation. It was included in ADB funded Gas Sector Development Project. Engr Mahmudur Rahman must have had thorough knowledge of it.

This author explained to him the utility of Pipeline Compressor stations at a presentation in Ashuganj Gas Manifold station in July 2005. Unfortunately this author could not continue working in GTCL beyond August 2005 due to naked politicization of energy sector management. GTCL management and Petro Bangla struggled with the Compressor project.

In 2006 some acts of manipulations in its tendering process was identified and ADB forced government to cancel the bid and go for re-tender. The prolonged tendering process took several years. By early 2009 GTCL was in a position to ward the works to evaluated lowest bidder Hyundai, Korea. But their quoted price was about 2.8 times of GTCL estimate.

A section of PB officials were not in favour of awarding this tender to technically qualified lowest bidder. But they were keen to procure very expensive line pipes for other components of the project. As downstream pipelines without setting up compressor stations would not serve any purpose sensible professionals suggested to redirect some money saved from line pipe purchase to fund compressor project.

Unfortunately one identified corrupt senior executive of gas sector was very keen to buy expensive pipes rather than to invest on urgent compressor stations. The Petro Bangla Chairman, who was not in the game, was removed to create situation for the corrupt officials to take control. GTCL board meeting saw divided opinion. In the very first meeting chaired by that identified corrupt official GTCL proposal to ward Compressor project to evaluated lowest bidder was cancelled. In the meantime that official utilising his official capacity obtained a proposal from Chevron to build Muchai Compressor station under Cost recovery.

There were several media reports stating the wrong doing. PSC does not authorise International oil companies (IOCs) to build any transmission facility beyond its battery limit. GTCL has no contractual dealings with IOCs. Moreover the estimated cost of Chevron proposed Compressor station at Muchai is relatively higher. Recommendations of project consultant and GTCL committee were ignored.

Despite all above Government decision to allow Chevron build a GTCL component of a project was approved. Compressor station at Muchai is built by 2008 was justified. It could improve delivery pressure and evacuate stranded gas over the last two years to benefit downstream. But the present situation does not warrant the requirement of such expensive station at Muchai at all.

Cost of steel at world market has gone down significantly after 2008 Beijing Olympics. If line pipes were tendered after 2008 Bangladesh could buy pipes at much lower price. But some smart people took the nation for a ride.

We can not believe that advisor to PM and The PM’s son can be bribed by Chevron. But some person somewhere must have been benefitted in some way in the entire episode of failed Gas Transmission Development Project of ADB. For transparency the entire issue may be investigated. The Media should also act responsibly.

The failure of GTDP project as per original implementation schedule is responsible for present massive gas crisis – energy crisis. Properly structured national committee must investigate the reasons of the failure and punish the mischief mongers.

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Kh. A. Saleque (Saleque Sufi) is the ex-Director ( Operation) GTCL and writes from Australia.

[Read all posts by Kh. A. Saleque]

Members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces prepare to return to the barracks as the Caretaker Government decides to withdraw the army from across the country. Dhaka, November 05 2008. Photo:Munir uz Zaman, DrikNEWS.

The festive mood has returned to the country. The two battling begums have exchanged pleasantries breaking all the ice. Finally the all-inclusive national election is nearing. The Candidates have already started their campaign. The people are busy permuting and combining their assumptions as who is going to rule them next. Overall they are satisfied because the Caretaker Government has kept their promise and are expected to hand over the power to the elected government. The military is going back to the barracks.

The script is perfect so far. If it is followed, Bangladesh is going to be a wonderful example of an implied democracy in the world. But there are some incidents happening alongside which are so disturbing that one fears it could turn the whole progress upside down. These are happening simultaneously, in regular intervals. A part of the media alleged to be the spokesman of the military backed caretaker government (CTG) is fueling these controversies.

Lets look back a few weeks ago. A bunch of hoodlums ran havoc in the premises of the Zia International Airport. In the banner of a religious joint they demolished the sculpture of Lalon Shah- an Icon of Bangladeshi culture. Showdowns like these are totally forbidden in the emergency rule, which is true for most political parties, but it happened there and escalated further. Mufti Fazlul Haq Amini, who actually leads the Qaumi madrashas with the dream of an Islamic revolution in Bangladesh held a press conference and threatened that if elected, they are going to destroy each and every sculptures in the country along with the monuments of our liberation war. He even dared to abuse the Shikha Anirban- the flame of eternity burning as the symbol of our independence. Not to mention he has used unpleasantly words against the incumbent advisors of the CTG. curiously, he simply got away with it with even no questions asked!

In a separate incident the students of Alia Madras has, most of whom are members of Jamaat-e-Islamis’s student wing Islami Chatra Shibir made a chaos in Dhaka university area. They picketed and injured general students to press a demand regarding their admission quota in the university. Many thought that it was staged to put a pressure on the CTG to drop down the arrest warrant of the Jamaat leader war criminal Ali Ahsan Mujahid as it coincided with the time. People were alarmed that these were the threats that could disturb the peaceful living and stability of the country again which was absent during the emergency rule.

Amidst the election vibe, another dramatic story is unfolding. A few days back we were informed that the banned extremist group Jamaatul Mujahedin of Bangladesh (JMB) had re-united and are planning a mass violence. Tipped by intelligence authorities security forces arrested some militants and have discovered their dangerous blue print. A couple of days back the CID concluded that the Harkat ul Jihad al Islami (Huji) were indeed involved in the 2001 bomb blasting at Ramna Batmul and the final report is going to be submitted along within a few days accusing 14 of the militant leaders. On June 11, 2008 charges were finally made against 22 persons including top Harkat-ul-Jihad (Huji) leader Mufti Abdul Hannan and BNP leader and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu for the grenade attacks on Sheikh Hasina on 21st august 2004. Though Mufti Hannan is behind the bar, it is widely known that he still rules the militants and operates them from there.

The latest news is the Government has warned Awami league leader Sheikh Hasina about her vulnerable security system. Even Khaleda Zia and other VIP candidates are equally informed to tighten their security. There are posters all across Bangladesh from extremist groups condemning Awami League and BNP. A recent poster by Hizbut Tahrir says “stop the politics of Awami League and BNP who are pawns of USA and India. Engage in the politics to establish Khilafat in the country.”

We really don’t know whether all of these are really a part of the puzzle. But we can predict what such an assassination threat can mean to the nation from the example of Pakistan. During the fag end of military rule when Pakistan was nearing the elections, the militants assassinated the popular politician Benazir Bhutto, who returned from exile to take part in the elections and was tipped to be the winner. Although the incident didn’t bring any positive result to general Musharraf and he could not stop quitting the office. But it was alleged that the militants were used by the military and possibly with the help of some foreign intelligence agency to prolong their rule.

In Bangladesh, a likely occurrence can easily happen if those extremist forces are not strongly dealt with. The failure of the government to take actions against those who use religion to force their political agenda and thereby giving them impunity can have drastic results. Let us not take back the country in the dark ages for the sake of power play and averting controversial issues to remain popular. It will bring disastrous consequences to the country.

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Sushanta Das Gupta is the Editor, E-Bangladesh.

[Read posts by Sushanta Das Gupta]