Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to assess if the gas of the island district of Bhola could be used by setting up a fertilizer factory there following conducting a feasibility study.

The directive came when the premier was chairing the cabinet meeting at her office on Monday.

Also read: Petroleum oil, gas reserve found in Sylhet Gas Field

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters in the Secretariat after the meeting.

When state minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid informed the cabinet that fuel was found in the first layer of Well No-10 of the Sylhet gas field and an oil flow of 35 barrels (on barrels is equal to 159 litres) per hour was found on experimental extraction.

The meeting also discussed how to ensure optimum use of the gas found in Bhola as now the gas is supplied from Bhola to different industries by cylinders, which is very insignificant in amount, said Mahbub Hossain.

Also read: New gas structure found at well No-10 of the Sylhet Gas field

“In this context, the prime minister directed the ministry to assess whether a fertilizer factory can be set up there,” he said.

Besides, the cabinet approved the proposal for formation of a joint venture company to generate 100megawatt solar energy in Madarganj in Jamalpur district.

The company titled ‘Madarganj Solar Power Company’ will be set up on a 350-acre land with the joint partnership of CREC International Renewable Energy Co. Ltd (CIRE), China and B-R Powergen Ltd (BRPL) owned by Power Development Board and REB.

“BRPL will have 30 percent equity share here (of the proposed company) and the Chinese company will have 70 percent ownership share. A 20-year contract has been signed with them (Chinese company) in this regard,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

The cabinet also cleared the drafts of Sea Tourism Policy 2023 and National Voluntary Services Policy 2023

The meeting approved the drafts of a bilateral aviation agreement to be signed between Bangladesh and the European Union, and an agreement to be signed between Bangladesh and Kosovo on cultural cooperation.

However, a draft of National Primary Education Academy Ordinance 2023 was placed before the meeting, but the Cabinet thought the enactment of this ordinance is not essential right now as it can be done after formation of the new parliament.

Also read: More gas reserves found at SGFL's Kailastila Well No. 2