An Awami League (AL) parliamentary team, which visited the Tengratila gas field this week, yesterday demanded cancellation of the agreement with Niko and punishment to the officials involved in the 'inappropriate' agreement process.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Abdul Hamid, who led the parliamentary team, made the demand at a press briefing at the party's Dhanmondi office.

Hamid alleged that gas worth Tk 1000 crore has so far been destroyed due to mismanagement and corruption of the government.

The AL leader said Niko got the job to explore gas from Tengratila well without any tender by managing the ruling party leaders. He accused the government of losing moral authority to take officials of the Canadian company to task.

"It was necessary to dig the relief well 700-750 metres away from the affected place, but Niko did it only 100 metres away. They are again arranging to dig the second relief well near the burning well and it may cause another problem," Hamid said.

He criticised the government for being reluctant to take any proper step to control the raging fire in the gas field.

Hamid was also critical about Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, saying that he (Saifur) himself was found vocal recently against misuse of gas putting forward a suggestion