Location and size of Myitsone dam project may change: Union Minister

Location and size of Myitsone dam project may change: Union Minister
Protestors holding the banners to protest against Myitsone dam project in front of Maha Bandoola Park on January 27 (Photo-Kyi Naing)
Protestors holding the banners to protest against Myitsone dam project in front of Maha Bandoola Park on January 27 (Photo-Kyi Naing)
Published 30 January 2019
Nilar

Location and size of Myitsone dam project may change, said Thaung Tun, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations during Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 held at Nay Pyi Taw on January 29.

The government is giving priority to the dam project but people desire is important also, said the union minister.

Similarly, Ayeyawady River is important for livelihood and the government is scrutinizing to form a committee.

“Former government suspended the project and the present government is scrutinizing it. The main thing is we cannot ignore the concern of people. The river is important for our country and we also need electricity for the development of the country. On the other hand, 90 per cent of the electricity generated from the dame project was arranged to send to China. However China doesn’t need electricity now. They can sell electricity to us as the electricity is superfluous in China,” he said.

The negotiation is made as Myanmar will have electricity and it cannot harm environment.

“If we can make negotiation, it will be beneficial for our country. Some have to move a whole village but it will not be happened. Another thing is China is a friend and we are bordering with them for about 1,700 kilometers. We can do projects which can be beneficial for both,” said Thaung Tun.

At the present, the government has formed a special commission which included senior officials from the government. It will be carried out with the report submitted by the commission, he said.

The government is trying to find a solution to deal with the dam project, he added.

Thanlwin River Protection and Conservation Network announced they will protest against the dam project along with Kachin people and people from across the country as it can harm environment and social security, can increase internal conflicts and can damage biological diversity.