TIB worried about Rooppur nuclear power plant safety

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over the safety and reliability of the proposed Rooppur nuclear power plant.

Terming the signing of an agreement with Russia as a positive and bold step by the government towards a relatively low-carbon source of energy, TIB expressed the concern as Bangladesh will have to depend mostly on foreign suppliers for necessary raw materials, skills and expertise.

"Even reputed Russian environmentalists consider Russian nuclear reactors unsafe," TIB's Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said in a statement on Sunday.

He said he was particularly concerned that Russian nuclear reactors would be used in the plant.

"Atomsroyexport, owned jointly by Rosatom and Gazprombank, both Russia's state-owned institutions, is not known to be credible enough to ensure suppliers' liability in case of accident."

Quoting media reports, Iftekharuzzaman further observed that the total cost of two power plants shot up to nearly $13 billion in the last three months from $4 billion.

"This variation in the cost of the project can potentially raise many questions. Since the people of Bangladesh will eventually bear the burden of this project, they have a right to know all relevant information in this regard," he added.