Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed her hope that all the upazilas of the country will come under cent percent electrification coverage by 2021, as the government has been working to illuminate all the homes across the country.
“We hope to give cent percent electricity across the country within the “Mujib Borsho” to be observed from March 2020 to March 2021 marking the birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating seven power plants, that added 790 megawatt power to the national grid, and complete electrification at 23 upazilas, through a videoconference from her official residence Ganavaban here.
“As many as 234 upazilas have so far been brought under cent percent electrification coverage with opening the seven power plants and bringing 23 upazilas under complete electrification,” she said.
The Premier said 94 percent people have been brought under the electricity coverage as the power generation now stands at 22562 megawatt while we inherited only 3200 MW of electricity in 2009.
Noting that her government is taking various measures to increase power generation to light up every homes of the country and said “No house will be left in dark.”
The Prime Minister said, “We are committed to reaching electricity to every house in accordance with the promises to build a poverty-free country as electricity creates scope for job employment”.
The Prime Minister, however, urged all to exercise austerity in using electricity which will help the electricity bill lower.
The seven power plants which were opened today are: Anwara 300 MW Power Plant, Rangpur 113 MW Power Plant, Karnaphuli 110 MW Power Plant, Shikalbaha 105 MW Power Plant, Patia 54 MW Power Plant, Tentulia 8 MW Solar Power Plant and Gazipur 100 MW Power Plant.
The 23 upazilas which came under cent percent electricity coverage are: Gabtali, Sherpur and Shibganj in Bogura district, Lohagara in Chattogram, Madhukhali, Nagarkanda and Saltha in Faridpur district, Fulchhari, Gaibandha Sadar and Palashbari in Gaibandha district, Madhappur and Nabiganj in Habiganj district, Kaliganj and Maheshpur in Jhenaidah district, Karimganj under Kishoreganj, Baraigram, Lalpur and Singra under Natore district, Barhatta and Mahonganj in Netrakona district, Bhandaria, Kaukhali and Indurkani under Pirojpur district
Deputy Speaker Md. Fazle Rabbi Miah, Prime Minister’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker, were present on the dais.
PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function while Senior Secretary of Power Division Dr Ahmad Kaikaus gave a presentation on the overall development of power generation capacity.
Later, the Prime Minister exchanged views with DCs, students, local beneficiaries and public representatives of the concerned districts.
Sheikh Hasina also informed that said power is being reached the remote areas where no national grid exists through biogas and solar panel.