The Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Development Initiative (MIDI Masterplan) Another Japanese domination for Energy Colonialisation in Bangladesh

The Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Development Initiative (MIDI) Master Plan is the operational core of the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B), a Japanese geopolitical strategy as an alternative to the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The MIDI Master Plan’s associated legal structure, the Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) Ordinance, presents severe risks across governance, economy, environment, and social welfare:

Key Findings

1. Unconstitutional Governance and Institutional Conflict

The Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) Ordinance, promulgated without parliamentary scrutiny, violates Article 59 of the Constitution by usurping the powers of elected local government bodies (Union, Upazila, and District Parishads) in Moheshkhali. It operates as a parallel, unelected government accountable only to the central administration, bypassing democratic accountability mechanisms. MIDA also creates unworkable jurisdictional conflicts with existing statutory bodies, including the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and Cox's Bazar Development Authority (COXDA). 

2. Economic Dependency and Fiscal Peril

The Master Plan, heavily influenced by JICA, rejects viable solar and wind energy options in favour of liquefied natural gas (LNG), thereby maximising fuel imports and the sale of Japanese technology and fuel. This model effectively makes Bangladesh bear the market risks while Japan controls the finance, technology, and fuel supply. It ties Bangladesh’s industrial future to the volatile global LNG market and unsustainable subsidies, which have already driven gas tariffs up by up to 179%.

3. Catastrophic Environmental Impacts

The planned LNG and fossil fuel build-out is projected to emit 1.3 billion tonnes of CO2e over its operational lifetime, roughly six times Bangladesh’s current annual total emissions. Construction of roads and other infrastructures has already caused irreversible damage to the Kohelia River, disrupting natural drainage, exacerbating flooding, increasing soil salinity, and collapsing local fisheries. Extensive construction activities threaten the major flyways of the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann's Greenshank.

4. Massive Social Injustice and Displacement

The MIDI Master Plan requires the acquisition of 12,951 acres of land, leading to the estimated eviction and displacement of 116,000 people, the entire population of Matarbari Island. Converting salt pans and shrimp farms into industrial land destroys the community's primary livelihoods. Compensation processes are reportedly corrupt, with affected persons allegedly paying up to 30% of their compensation as bribes.

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