At least one can blame load shedding due to shortage of fuel etc. caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war but not the many others that ail us. The media is full of reports, gossip and accusations about the  blazes, deaths and suffering and the bottom line remains the same. We are progressing but it’s full of juddering halts. Yet we have a great success to show off: Padma Bridge. Why did it happen when others are not working …?  

The answer is probably simple. Everyone wanted it to work and so it did with all the hassles notwithstanding. No matter what the Opposition social media says, it’s a feat.  It worked because everyone knew of its worth including its trophy value in every aspect. And everyone knew it was the project of the decade and the PM’s personal pride and brand value was involved. And so all the corruption, negative imaging, suspect levels of efficiency was there but Padma Shetu emerged. But other projects are not high profile and that is the problem. The system is not delivering because that is no one’s bread to pick up.

Also read: Probe body finds owners, monitoring authority responsible for Sitakunda depot fire

Is 2022-23 a foul calendar ?

The year has brought a rush of bad news at many levels.  Globally, the Russo-Ukrainian war has dominated and has caused many difficulties including uncertain food supply and fuel prices in many countries. Bangladesh is not in difficulties alone.  The difference is that, while the significant part is caused by global supply crisis, the role of local players, both rogue traders and the less than competent bureaucracy is threatening to become bigger than the war crisis. The administration simply was caught off  guard without its crisis preparation plans. And now there is more than a fair bit of floundering which doesn’t look like it will end soon. 

Lack of preparation for the massive floods is an indicator. The Government is admitting this including words coming from ministerial mouths. But given that we have a Ministry which is devoted to disaster management and planning, the fact about not being prepared is worth even more serious concern. In an era of climate change, the long heat wave followed by floods is only to be expected but why we weren’t ready is not a mystery but a confirmation that we are not up to the task.

Also read: Load shedding continues across the country

 Load shedding and Sitakundu fireballs

We have often heard we had made it in the electricity sector but now a serious crisis has hit us which apart from making life uncomfortable for many is about to hit us economically in a big way.  One of course hopes and wishes this is a false fear but the loopholes of the claims of the energy sector are peeping out rudely.

Our energy sector is based far too much on imported oil and diesel, that it’s producing   more than demand but has weak performance as far distribution is concerned and so on. And that is why it needs several contingency plans to deal with an uncertain future which is part of our everyday life. Any signs that we understand this message are rather weak. And that is the problem.

Perhaps the answer lies in the investigation report of the Sitakundu blaze which took so many lives. The report says that the fire was caused largely by chemicals lying unattended in conditions which were dangerous. They were not supposed to be stored in the open exposing it to heat and other elements. So after a point it did what nature wanted it to do : explode. The report shares the blame between the owners who stored it but also among the supervisors who were supposed to ensure it didn’t lie there waiting to explode. No one did their job. So the explosion, so the deaths, so the devastation were all inevitable.

If everyone is combining together not to do their job, what chances do others have of a safe survival?