EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN POWER SECTOR AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Bangladesh inherited weak infrastructure of power generation and distribution. Instead of
improving the power generation situation, the sector has worsened due to inefficient leadership,
over-centralization, corruption and mismanagement at all levels. System loss in the sector is the
highest in the developing world. The coverage of electricity in the country is limited; only about one
third of the population has access to electricity, though the power requirement is increasing fast.
Generation of power cannot keep pace with requirement. Shortage of electricity and unreliable
power supply are costly. Frequent and prolonged load shedding causes huge losses to industrial
production and regularly disrupts economic activities. Efficient and affordable power supply is
essential for sustained economic growth. Households need reliable and reasonably priced electricity
to attain full socio-economic potential and achieve decent standards of living. Power is thus directly
linked to national development. The cumulative effect due to shortage of power can turn into
social violence posing a threat to national security. Now a day, security is more concerned with the
economy, fighting poverty and encouraging development in all spheres of national life especially for
developing countries like Bangladesh. The infrastructure in our country is not adequately geared to
providing optimum power in the coming years. Hence there is an urgent need to address this issue
at the national planning level before we fall into the trap.