HOMALIN-Although the locals protested against the Namt Pa Nga Creek Hydropower Project, the regional government is going to implement the project.

The construction of Namt Pa Nga Creek Hydropower project to be situated in Homalin Township in Sagaing Region, will cost around Ks 24 billion, according to the Sagaing Region Minister for Electricity, Industry and Transport.

“The project isn’t stopped because it was implemented under the fund of the Sagaing Regional Government Committee. The MPs and the Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister will be explaining about the locals’ worry. I think, it will take three and half years to complete the project,” said Than Nyunt Win, Sagaing Region Minister for Electricity, Industry and Transport.

Due to the implementation of the hydropower project, about 1,500 houses along the Namt Pa Nga creek, nearly 1,500 acres farmland as well as schools and historic pagoda may be flooded. Therefore, the locals from 12 villages staged a protest over completing cancel of Namt Pa Nga Hydropower project at Homalin Township, in August.

“In the past, many villages in Homalin Township were transferred due to the Tazone hydropower project. So, the locals living along the Namt Pa Nga creek have worry. I think, the incumbent government can’t order the locals to transfer. We heard that the MPs and the regional ministers would explain about the hydropower project. In Homalin Township, locals have to pay over Ks 500 for power one unit. So, the price is very expensive comparing the government’s power unit cost. Upon completion of the Namt Pa Nga Hydropower project, the Homalin Township will use the power with the inexpensive price. So, we would like to urge the authorities to implement the hydropower project after giving explanation for its benefits to the local,” said a local from Homalin Township.

Survey has been conducted, design has been drawn  since 2017-2018. It cost Ks.347.504 million. In Sagaing Region, a total of  3362 sub-power stations, 3 small hydro-power plants, and 39 diesel power plants have been constructed to distribute electricity to Sagaing region.