RNPP to contribute 2% to GDP: Yeafesh Osman

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will contribute two per cent to the country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product), Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman has said.

"People will get electricity from Rooppur NPP at the beginning of 2025. The backward section of people of North Bengal will benefit from this scheme," he told a press briefing in the project area on Wednesday.

The uranium (Nuclear Fuel) of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be officially handed over Thursday with the virtual presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

"Many countries are surprised today due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's bold and dynamic leadership as well as initiative. A country like Bangladesh has reached this stage today with the commitment of Bangabandhu, which the Prime Minister materialised. This is a Bengali creativity. Bangladesh has been elected as a member of the governing body of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA)," he said.

The minister said that the project work has been going on relentlessly for seven years.

"So far the work of the project has not been stopped even for a single day. Nowhere in the world has a project of this quality progressed so much in such a short period of time. It takes 10, 12 or 15 years," he added.

He said it has become possible due to the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which will contribute 2 per cent to GDP after commissioning.

"The backward people of North Bengal will benefit from the project. The people of the area will come to the mainstream. Safety is ensured at every step of the power plant. This is a new milestone for Bangladesh," Yeafesh Osman said.

About fossil fuel electricity prices, he said now the prices of electricity being produced with oil or other means are very high.

"So we hope that the people of North Bengal can easily get electricity with this and industry development will also be increased here. It will also uplift the image of Bangladesh," he added.

About the uranium, Project Director Dr Shawkat Akbar said it was recognized as a nuclear structure after arriving at the nuclear fuel at the Rooppur NPP project. "Bangladesh is going to become the 33rd member of the nuclear club," he added.

He said that all conditions have been met to import and protect nuclear fuel.

/KN/