Some residents in Kyaikmaraw Township are angry with the Mon State government over a report about a coal fired cement factory that they say completely ignores their original concerns.
Venerable Thumana, the chief abbot of Thumanar Yama Monastery in Kaw Don Village, said that although ministers consulted with the general public as well as heads of the Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) in preparing the report it still failed in presenting the community’s view.
“They shouldn’t write only good things,” he said after finding it favoured the company.
Criticisms about the government siding with MCL came after U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, referred to the report in response to a question that was raised during a Pyithu Hluttaw (parliament) session.
Thumana said he only learned about the report at the recent meeting.
Residents opposed to the coal fire factory said they plan to bring the matter up soon during a meeting with the Mon State government.
The MCL cement factory that is scheduled to become operational by mid-2016 is a joint venture between SGC and Pacific Link Cement that is expected to cost US$400M. It will use coal power and some bio waste to generate the approximate 40 megawatt of power needed to output about 5,000 tonnes of cement a day.
Carbon dioxide emissions are produced by coal-burning power plants that poison the air causing smog and sometimes creating acid rain that pollute rivers as well as ground water.
U Ohn Win said that MCL has done its best to nullify potential negative impacts of using coal power.
“The factory has minimised all the consequences from the use of coal power.”
Mon State’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win said: “We included the views of the local residents in the report,” adding that the company’s initial failure to engage with the public was also noted.
Min Kyi Win explained that although the cement factory is reliant on coal power the company has taken precautionary measures such as burying coals in the ground to prevent overheating.
He promised that action will be taken if MCL fails to abide by the rules and regulations set down by the union government.
A petition against the use of coal power was signed by 3780 residents in Pyar Taung area and sent to the president, Mon State chief minister, and the Mon State Hluttaw in April.
After receiving the petition, the Mon State government led by the Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Min Kyi Win met with some residents and official from the MCL cement factory before preparing the report for the union government.
Reporting by MNA
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
