Being an expert and being a policy maker are not the same. Unless our presumptive policy makers understand this, people will suffer in the long run.
Being an expert on something comes with a baggage. For some, these baggage could mean different things. Baggage that comes from expertise could bad in a good way or good in bad way. For some, it gives you the title of 'dalal' in Bangladesh. Being opinionated in expert knowledge is a good trait, however when the opinions (though innocent might be) align with certain special interest groups, expert knowledge could bring you some unwanted baggage. Many of the colleagues of Dr. Tamim, the current energy advisor would readily tell you that he has gathered more than a fair share of baggage compared to many others in the field.
However, we do not dwell on these baggages today, neither do we intend to debate whether those baggage are fair to the member of the presumptive government of current day Bangladesh. Our intent today is somewhat different. Does expert knowledge on something makes one unfit to become a policy maker? It seems it is!
Certainly, you might be intrigued - how. We would use the policy makers of our energy ministry as a point of case discussion.
If one wanted to focus on the policy makers of last few decades, it would be hard to actually discuss. With the exception of Dr. Iqbal Mahmud, most of those policy makers were thieves. Some proven, some not. Dr. Iqbal Mahmud realized that its not his piece of cake to become an Energy Minister (while also being honest), so he resigned.
For the first time in our history, we got a relatively better government, though only for two years of time.
Right now, Dr. Tamim do not have any undue pressure to do things that does not make sense.
So, why is he talking and doing non-sense? Is it only incompetence or something else that many would indicate?
So far, to us, its a sheer incompetence. He is acting, talking and thinking like a petroleum engineer what he professionally is. But his current job description does not require to act as a petroleum engineer, rather he has to put the hat of energy policy maker of the country. Hope he would start doing that - soon.
Energy future and security of Bangladesh do not depend on gas, petrol or coal - as many would like you to believe. Energy security of Bangladesh depend on the effective use of our renewable energy - specifically solar energy and waste management. We have not heard a single policy statement on this regard from any of the senior policymakers of current government.
If a country like Germany can expect to benefit from heavy use of photo-voltaic cells, why can't Bangladesh do that? We have more sources of energy in solar compared to many of the countries. When we have one of the best reserves, why do we have to waste this reserve and spend money on other things by importing something else? Moreover, using our reserve would also create a lot of jobs. So what is the problem?
If Grameen can sell 5000 units of solar system every month, why can't government take programmes that sells 5 lacs in every month?
There was a time when NGOs was engaged in child heathcare in the rural level - for many years. Once government decided on policy level that they want to immunize all the kids of the country, it become a hugely successful programme. Now its one of the best example of private - public partnership project in the public health. For that to happen, we had to wait for many years.
Similarly, why do we have to wait long years for the same initiative of partnership to happen in the energy sector? Why can't government decide that they would be installing 5 lacs solar home system and waste management system combinely with all the private sector stakeholders?
Also, why can we take a policy like California where people can supply to the national grid when they generate extra energy from their own solar farm?
If the government and banks can give money to start a poultry farm, why can the same can not happen for a solar farm? It seems to us that the need for root level solar farms are even more higher given our energy sector condition.
So, we would like to finish our article with one single message for Dr. Tamim.
Start using your brain - if you have one - instead of using the books you read in your student life. There are enough things to do other than being a sales agent and marketing agent. We know what you would say - Bangladesh needs good marketing agents. We agree. But the job of Energy Adviser is not to become a marketing agent - it is much harder than that. Do not judge your current job description with what was accomplished during the energy ministers of Hasina or Khaleda. Those were mostly thieves. Those were not ministers. And the least thing the nation expect that you become one!!
If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columinsts in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.
Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line
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Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.
Dear readers, also, if you thought the article was important enough so it should come under attention of the head of the government please forward the message to them. Email address for the Chief Advisor: feeedback@pmo.gov.bd or at http://www.cao.gov.bd/feedback
Also, you can send it to energy division to info@powerdivision.gov.bd or http://www.powerdivision.gov.bd/index.php?page_id=145
The more of you forward it to them, the less will be the need to go back to street agitation. Use ICT to practice democracy.
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