State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said on Sunday that the power sector has been severely compromised due to past irregularities and corruption, a reality the current government is now forced to confront.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion held at the Panchagarh District Administration conference room to mark National Fisheries Fortnight, the state minister noted that international instability has further aggravated the situation.
He specifically cited the ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as factors creating a crisis in the fuel and energy sectors.
To address the prevailing electricity shortage, the state minister emphasised a strategic shift towards solar power generation.
He announced that initiatives would be taken to produce solar energy on rooftops, uncultivated lands, and riverbanks through individual, collective, and private investment.
“The prime minister is personally supervising the situation and has sought the cooperation of the public, expressing regret for the current circumstances,” Farhad said, adding that the government expects to bridge the electricity deficit and achieve surplus production by this December.
During his address, the state minister also stressed the importance of political harmony and unity in Panchagarh.
He called upon the leadership of all political parties to work together to build a “universal Panchagarh”.
He noted that the government would welcome constructive criticism and advice from other political parties, aiming to implement suggestions through mutual discussion.
Shifting focus to the fisheries sector, Azad described fish as a vital and safe source of animal protein for the population. He highlighted the need to increase production to meet nutritional demands and foster self-reliance among the public.
The state minister pointed out that Panchagarh currently faces a deficit of approximately four metric tonnes of fish.
“We must work towards transforming Panchagarh into a fish-surplus district before the next Fisheries Week,” he urged, noting that fish farming must be expanded to provide safe protein for the district’s 1.175 million residents.
He encouraged both the wealthy and the general public to engage in aquaculture.
Jointly organised by the Panchagarh District Administration and the Department of Fisheries, the discussion was attended by Deputy Commissioner Shukria Parvin, Additional Superintendent of Police Farhad Hossain, and District Fisheries Officer KM Abdul Halim.
Political leaders, fish farmers, and other stakeholders were also present.
During the event, awards and honours were conferred upon several individuals for their outstanding contributions to fish farming.
Earlier in the day, a rally was brought out from the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises to mark the occasion, which concluded at the same location after parading through the town’s main thoroughfares.
