BPC refutes claim on refusal to purchase locally produced octane

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has rejected a report published in the Daily Jugantor claiming that the government is not procuring locally produced octane, calling the report inaccurate and misleading.

In an official statement issued on Sunday, BPC said the allegation that it is unwilling to purchase octane and petrol from private producers -- particularly Super Petrochemical PLC -- is incorrect. On the contrary, BPC stated that it has repeatedly requested private sector suppliers to provide octane, petrol and diesel.

The corporation stressed that to meet the country's fuel demand, it continues to source petroleum products from both international imports and domestic producers.

BPC also dismissed as "completely untrue" the report's claim that it sent a letter on 8 April declining to accept locally produced octane and petrol.

According to the statement, there is substantial capacity within the country to supply octane and petrol, and BPC is consistently receiving fuel from private refineries. Data provided by the corporation show that, so far this month, it has received 11,615 metric tons of octane, 7,177 metric tons of petrol and 12,884 metric tons of diesel from Super Petrochemical PLC.

Additionally, 291 metric tons of octane, 4,130 metric tons of petrol and 581 metric tons of diesel were supplied by Aqua Refinery Limited, while Petromax Refinery Limited delivered 3,264 metric tons of octane, 1,254 metric tons of petrol and 1,896 metric tons of diesel.

BPC further noted that there is potential to receive even higher volumes of fuel from domestic sources in the remainder of the month compared to previous periods.

The corporation urged media outlets to ensure accurate and fact-based reporting in the public interest.