Prime Minister Tarique Rahman cut power use at his office by switching off half the lights at the Secretariat on Thursday and reducing air-conditioner usage, calling on all government offices and institutions to adopt more economical electricity practices.
His Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the PM took the step soon after arriving at his office in the morning.
“The PM reached his office at around 9:10am. After entering the room, he switched off about 50 percent of the lights and adjusted the air-conditioner to 25.1 degrees Celsius to reduce electricity consumption,” he said.
The move forms part of an effort to promote energy conservation across public institutions, with the prime minister urging officials to use electricity more responsibly.
Rumon added that the PM asked officials to switch off half the lights and lower the air-conditioning level when he entered the Cabinet meeting room.
PM’s office is in building number 1 of Secretariat which houses several departments under the PM as well as the Cabinet Division.
Following Tarique’s initiative, lights were immediately reduced and air-conditioner settings lowered in other rooms of his office.
He stated that the PM also called upon all ministries, government offices across the country,m as well as private institutions, shopping centres and commercial establishments to use electricity more efficiently and frugally.
Tarique also urged people across the country to reduce the use of artificial lighting during the day and make better use of natural sunlight by opening curtains and windows at offices and homes, Rumon added.
He said the PM has asked the Power and Energy Minister to take proper steps to ensure the efficient use of electricity and to seek expert opinions on what further measures can be taken.
Tarique took the initiative amid rising fuel prices and growing concerns about the supply of petroleum fuel and natural gas – the two main sources used to generate electricity in the country – due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, which has spread to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
Bangladesh, which already faces energy shortages, depends heavily on the Gulf region for its primary energy supply.
The country imports most of its petroleum fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) either directly or indirectly from the region.
