Employees, student protesters demand resignation of Eastern Refinery MD

Employees along with the leaders of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement has demanded the resignation of managing director (MD) of state-run Eastern Refinery Ltd (ERL) Md Lokman over his alleged involvement in corruption, said sources.

Mr Lokman, whose contractual appointment has been extended twice, has faced criticism for his role in shelving plans to build a new crude oil refinery owned by ERL.

Instead, he reportedly pursued a deal with the controversial S Alam Group to construct the refinery. A memorandum of understanding for this project was finalised late last month, just before the fall of the previous government after the student-public movement.

According to a senior official of the energy and mineral resources division (EMRD) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), the then Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had directed to ink the MOU with the S Alam Group to build the crude oil refinery in Chattogram.

Besides, the incumbent MD constructed a cooling tower at the cost of Tk 180 million, which collapsed within two years of its construction due to faulty works by a contractor.

Mr Lokman took no action against the contractor responsible for the substandard work, sources said.

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