State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, has assured the nation that there is no reason for panic regarding fuel availability, confirming that the country holds sufficient reserves.
Speaking to the media on Friday (March 6) after inspecting a petrol pump in the capital's Paribagh area, the State Minister addressed the growing public anxiety surrounding global energy stability.
Addressing Public Anxiety
Acknowledging the current global climate, the Minister noted that the public's concern is a natural reaction to international developments.
Record Supply and Panic-Buying
The Minister highlighted that fuel distribution has been significantly ramped up over the last few days to counter the surge in demand caused by panic-buying.
Increased Supply: The government has supplied several times the usual volume of fuel to stations in recent days.
Customer Behavior: Observations show that consumers are purchasing more than their regular requirements, fueling a cycle of artificial shortage.
Government Efforts: The Minister urged the public to remain calm, stating that the government is fully committed to minimizing public hardship.
Global Pricing Pressure
While supply remains stable, the Minister admitted that the "abnormal" rise in international oil prices is placing a significant financial strain on the state.
"The international market has seen an extraordinary spike in fuel prices, which creates a massive pressure on us," Amit explained. "Naturally, we will have to move toward a price coordination. We are trying our best to avoid a price hike, but if it becomes absolutely unavoidable, we will share that reality with the public. We seek the support of the citizens during this time."
