Russian company Gazprom wants to use wheat and potash fertilizers as bait to get jobs at higher prices. It is said that 30 thousand tons of potash fertilizer, 50 thousand tons of wheat are going to be provided free of charge to lure the interim government.

An official from Gazprom's local agent (Bangladesh) office confirmed this information on condition of anonymity. The official told Barta24.com, 1 ship (30 thousand tons) of potash and the government wants 30 thousand tons of wheat, but our company is going to supply 50 thousand tons of wheat. These are being given as relief to the flood victims.

On August 29, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantitsky met Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. After that meeting, Bangladesh was informed about giving 30 thousand metric tons of potash fertilizer for free.

Russian Company through Gazprom donation is trying to get close to the Dr. Yunus government. So that the work of digging wells at high prices can be continued in Bangladesh. Gazprom has set a rare example of corruption and looting by using the opportunity of closeness with the Awami League government. The company is lobbying to get the same well for a quarter of Tk. 300 crores which the state company Bapex can do for Tk. 70 to Tk. 80 crores.

Bangladeshi agents of Gazprom turned into monsters day by day. Under their pressure, the state institution Bapex has become a life-threatening situation. It is said that the institution is kept alive with oxygen. On August 5, the Awami League government's collapse saved the company about Tk. 3 thousand crore. The Awami League government had almost finalized the bid of Tk. 300 crore for the well which Bapex could do for Tk. 70 to Tk. 80 crore. The rush to pass a special law without a tender was eye-watering.

Bangladesh was going to sign a contract for the proposed 15 wells at a rate of 23 million dollars (Tk. 120) for around Tk. 4200 crore. Those works can be done with BAPEX for a maximum of Tk. 1200 crore. There is a precedent of this in the country, yet the work has been given at higher rates with a blind eye.

Energy experts said there are precedents that are simultaneously dire. However, the Tawfiq e-Ilahi Chowdhury syndicate has done that terrible work. In 2014, BAPEX's 354th board meeting approved the proposal to drill Srikail-4 well. In the 556th board meeting, a DPP (Development Project Proposal) worth Tk. 64 crore was approved. Approved DPP sends to Petrobangla. The rule is that the work will be started subject to the approval of Petrobangla. But Petrobangla asked to send DPP of Tk. 200 crore instead of approving DPP of Tk. 64 crore. A DPP of Tk. 200 crores was made for the same work (same depth) by compulsion. And that work was given to Gazprom. Gazprom drilled 3 wells (Ilisha, Tobgi and Bhola North-II) in Bhola last. Gazprom's offer to drill those wells is higher than the work order. The price offer was supposed to be reduced through negotiation, but the opposite happened.

At different times, 17 wells were awarded to Gazprom at several times the price. Another 15 well proposals were near finalization. The most advanced was Bapex's 5-well drilling project at Bhola gasfield. Another meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Procurement would be finalized. Fawzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Interim Government has suspended the project pending under the Special Act. And this is saved from the burden of huge amount of debt.

On the one hand, the work of Tk. 80 crore cost a quarter of Tk. 300 crore, and the well, which should be done after a few years, is only increasing the debt burden, Bapex is not getting any return. In this way Bapex has been endangered in the past as well. Again, he was practicing for the interests of special groups.

Behind this is the chairman of the National Group, Abdus Sattar Mia (Mia Sattar), a Bangladeshi expatriate in Russia. At one time he was the ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh. The Awami League did whatever they wanted because of the warm relations. Despite many controversies, his misdeeds did not stop. Now looking to open own line with potash fertilizer and wheat. Mia Sattar wants to get an additional Tk. 000 crore from 15 wells.

There are 9 wells in the island district of Bhola, from which about 200 million cubic feet of gas can be extracted. There is no demand for gas, and as there is no pipeline to bring it to the mainland, only 60 million cubic feet of gas is being extracted daily.

5 wells are sitting now including Tabgi (year 2017), Bhola North (year 2018) and Elisha (year 2022). In that Bhola, the stakeholders have raised the question that the 5 well drilling project at high price under the Fast Supply Act is being taken in whose interest. Many claimed that this project was prepared for the Russian company Gazprom and not in the interest of the country. Objections were also raised when Gazprom had to dig Tabgi and Bhola North (seated wells). It was said then that there is no use in digging these wells now. Two wells were then dug at an unusual rate despite such objections from the concerned which is still lying.

With the naked eye, many may support digging wells and keeping them ready. The reality is that Bapex is not getting any return from these projects. On the other hand, the advance is losing investment potential in Bapex loans at high interest rates. In 2017, a burden of Tk. 400 crore has been placed on the shoulders of BAPEX by drilling wells. Bapex could have done it by itself for a maximum of Tk. 120 crore. Even if he came now with time, there would be no problem.

Cab's Energy Adviser Professor Shamsul Alam told Barta24.com that the issue of Bhola well drilling is not related to Bangladesh's energy needs. Just as Nikko was given the job of profit and loss to particular individuals, so it is here. Here the Special Power Act is being used as a shield. Nowhere in the world can you find examples of anarchy where a job worth Tk. 10 is being paid for Tk. 100.

Regarding Gazprom, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's energy adviser Taufiq e Ilahi Chowdhury has always sung excellent. Openly he said in a meeting that the work was given to Gazprom at a much lower price than the international rate.

Aniruddha Roy, a close associate of former Chief Justice SK Sinha, once worked as Gazprom's domestic agent. Then Mia Sattar came forward. And some more influential political leaders were shaking the control key from behind. Those who were helpless under the pressure of Bapex, while others voluntarily surrendered to the lure of the commission.