Kabir Hashim questions emergency fuel purchase tender

SJB MPs Kabir Hashim and Thalatha Athukorala speaking to the media yesterday. 

National energy security is at risk, says Hashim

By Asiri Fernando

The Government must explain why an emergency fuel purchase tender for 92 Octane petrol was issued and withdrawn, Opposition parliamentarian Kabir Hashim said yesterday.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP accused the Government and Energy ministry of mismanaging national energy security by not taking the right decisions on time to ensure against the depletion of national petroleum reserves.  

“Why was this emergency fuel purchase tender called? The emergency tender for 170,000 barrels of petrol was issued last week. I believe only one bidder came forward, but the tender was later suspended. You don’t do that unless there is suspicion that there will be a shortage of 92 Octane petrol in the market. What kind of forecasting is the Energy Ministry doing? What assumptions are they following?” MP Hashim questioned, blaming the Government for being reckless.

The SJB MP also warned that if there was a major disruption in the international oil markets, resulting in fuel consignments being delayed, it may have a significant impact on the local economy due to national fuel reserves not being maintained. “A Government that came to power on a national security platform is failing to ensure energy security of the nation.”

Hashim expressed his views at a press conference along with fellow MP Thalatha Athukorala.

Hashim charged that the Government is attempting to sell public assets to gain foreign currency to cover up the forex woes facing the country as a result of their poor fiscal policies.

“We all know there is a dollar shortage in the country. It is not a secret anymore. The Government is trying to sell off public assets to gain relief from the dollar crisis. Key among them are energy sector assets.”

Hashim cited a request by the Energy Minister to the Cabinet, seeking permission to privatise a range of energy services, including petroleum refinery services. “95% of refineries worldwide belong to the State. Countries don’t privatise oil refineries due to their strategic importance for energy security,” Hashim opined, calling for an explanation about the request from the Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila.

He also challenged the Energy Minister to reveal why the Government was trying to sell 51% of its stake in a power plant in Kerawalapitiya.

“This power plant has delivered profits in five years and is said to be capable of servicing a Rs. 22 billion loan it holds by the end of next year. Why is such a good asset being sold to a US-based firm?” 

Hashim added that the proposal endangers Sri Lanka’s national energy security. He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the unsolicited proposal.

“This is not based on a tender the State has issued, what is the procedure followed?  These are unsolicited proposals. We want answers. The Government must tell the public the truth.”