Fear to create fresh anarchy in markets

Rehennuma Tarannum Rifat

Anger has spread out among the fuel traders especially agents and dealers of Padma and Meghna oil companies in northern region centering the alleged irregularities and mismanagement in fuel distributions by the concerned sales officers.

Complainants alleged that, they are not getting fuels as per their demand due to massive irregularities and mismanagement by the concerned sales officers of the country’s largest two fuel companies-Padma and Meghna. As a result, buyers are being deprived of required fuels even after adequate preservation at the relevant depots in Baghabari that fears to lead a fresh crisis in the markets.

The complainants have further alleged that the concerned sales officers, in collusion with the Depot Managers (Operations) of Baghabari and the Assistant General Managers (AGM) of the Bogura Regional Office, prepare and provide the daily supply list in a biased manner. As a result, genuine traders and those, who need more oils, are not getting the oils as per their demand.

On the other hand, those who have less demand are being given more supply and then they are selling the excess oils in the black markets to earn extra profit.

Consequently, experts and insiders fear that there will be another oil crisis in the northern market.

Seeking anonymity, an authorized agent of Padma and Meghna oil companies told that, “Concerned sales officers using the name of power, energy and mineral resources affairs minister Ikbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku’s Personal Secretary (PS) allocate additional fuels for those, who reportedly provide them additional privilege through bKash, Rocket or any other means. But, the genuine dealers and agents are not getting fuel oils as per their need. The officials force us to go back with less amount of fuel. If we protest against the incidents, concerned officials show us excuse of high officials. So, we are now in trouble.”

Azizur Rahman Gyada, President of Tank-lorry Workers’ Association in northern region said, “We carry fuel oils to different destinations in the country. But, many tank-lorry drivers nowadays lie idle for want of trip as their lorries are not being loaded with fuels like previous period due to fall of supply.”

Jakir Hossain, an authorized agent of the mentioned two fuel companies told that, “If supply chain is disrupted due to mismanagement of the concerned officials, crisis may be created in the market again. It may tarnish the image of incumbent government and fall a negative impact in the markets. So, higher authorities should pay heeds in this regard so that no one can amass illegal money by hanky-panky. In contrary, they should ensure fair supply to the genuine traders.”

Rabiul Islam, Manager of Meghna Petroleum Depot in Baghabari declined the allegation of extra privileges and said, “We distribute fuel oils as per the daily demand of traders. The demand list is produced by our regional office comparatively the demand of last year. So, there is no scope of anomalies. We however, provide additional quantity of oils to someone as per their need after verifying their claims.”

Mohammad Ahsanul Amin, Assistant General Manager (AGM) of Meghna Petroleum Company in Bogura regional office said, “We have been started rationing system in fuel supply since last March with the directive of the government to cope the crisis. We are following the procedures still now according to our high-ups order. If supply chain is disrupted anyhow, we will take necessary steps to restore it after discussing with our authorities.”

Despite multiple attempts to talk on mobile phones and even directly going to the Baghabari office, no one from Padma Oil Company agreed to make any comment on the persisting issues.