JS body finds graft in Tengratila handover
Says jt venture with Niko sans PSC caused huge loss to govt
Staff Correspondent
A parliamentary body yesterday observed that the country has faced a huge financial loss due to rampant corruption in handing over of the Tengratila gas field to Niko Resources Ltd through joint venture instead of production sharing contract (PSC).The standing committee on Public Undertakings also asked Petrobangla, the state-run oil, gas and mineral corporation, to accelerate the process to realise compensation from Niko for the Tengratila gas field blowout. "There were irregularities and corruption at every stage including the agreement with Niko," committee member Faruk Khan told The Daily Star last night. A four-member team of the Public Undertakings Committee yesterday went to Petrobangla to have a briefing on the Tengratila gas field disaster. Chaired by committee Chairman Abdul Aleem, the meeting was also attended by Colonel (retd) Mohammad Faruk Khan of Awami League, Abdullah Mohammad Taher of Jamaat-e-Islami and Salahuddin Ahmed of BNP. Blaming Niko for the Tengratila disaster, Petrobangla chairman SR Osmany said a committee has been formed to assess the loss at Tengratila. "As we asked Petrobangla to explain how the Tengratila blowout occurred twice, it admitted that the blowouts took place due to Niko's fault," Faruk Khan said. "It is a matter of shame and regret that the parliament did not discuss the Tengratila blowout, which caused a huge financial loss to the country," he added. The Petrobangla chairman placed at the meeting a report on the two accidents during drilling at the gas field, reports of the enquiry committees, and preparations for realising the compensation. However, the meeting sources said the committee members made many queries, but were not satisfied by the answers made by the Petrobangla chairman and Bapex (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration Company) Acting Managing Director Jamaluddin. "After getting the report of the investigation committee, we will sit with the officials concerned to discuss realisation of compensation," Abdul Aleem said. The meeting decided that the committee will visit Tengratila shortly. However, it could not take any decision on forming a parliamentary sub-committee to investigate the blowout. The Petrobangla chairman said July 30 has been fixed for digging up the relief well at the Tengratila gas field but it may be delayed by a day or two. He also said the Niko has not yet submitted the design of the relief well as they are making corrections in the design.
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