Villagers call for halt of coal-fired cement factory

Myanmar Times 24 April 2018 | Kyaw Ko Ko

Hundreds of villagers took to the streets on Monday in Patheingyi township in Mandalay Region to demand the cancellation and demolition of a coal-fired cement factory in their area.  

About 150 residents from Aunt Thabyay village marched  to the entry gate of Patheingyi township to protest against the operation of the cement factory project, which has adversely affected their villages, U Myint Aung, a protest leader, said. 

“Our village roads are badly damaged by their large heavy vehicles passing through every day,” he said. “The company brings no benefit to the village, so we have to protest.”

The residents also protested that their village signboards were destroyed and roadside trees were cut down, allegedly by people working in the factory. 

This protest is the second one the villagers have held to demand action against the factory. They first protested in 2015, but no action was taken by the authorities on their demands. 

“We also know that all are protesting against the coal-fired cement plant. The factory produces 5000 tonnes per day but its harmful effects on the community cannot be calculated,” said Ko Win Zaw Latt, another protester.  

“There is only a fence that separates the factory and our village. I want the government to know how badly our village has been affected by the factory,” he added.

Among the complaints by the residents include the close proximity of the factory to residential areas, the adverse impact on the environment and public health, its buildings being only 15 feet away from drinking water wells in the village, all-day and all-night noise due to non-stop operations, and destruction of village roads. 

“Roadside trees were cut down on village roads as the firm wanted to widen them. We can’t accept it,” Ko Win Zaw Latt said.

But U Ye Min Oo, Hluttaw MP for Patheingyi constituency 2, said the road widening was approved by the regional government and the cement factory is paying for the project.

“It seems that the firm renewed and extended the permits,” he said.  “From our side, if lands of the local people are confiscated, we will try to regain them.”

https://www.mmtimes.com/news/villagers-call-halt-coal-fired-cement-factory.html