28 September 2009
As the commercial operation date of the controversial hydropower project in Laos is about to begin later this year, the International Rivers found that the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Nam Theun Theun 2 Power Corporation are still far from complying with the Concession Agreement, which includes livelihood restoration for resettled villagers.
International Rivers sent a letter on the key issues to be addressed before Nam Theun 2 commercial operation to the World Bank and ADB in September 8, 2009. The copy of the letter also sent to all the Executive Directors' office in the World Bank and ADB, the Department of the U.S. Treasury, and the Nam Theun 2 Power Corporation (NTPC). The letter addresses International Rivers' main concerns and recommendations based on the site visit in May 2009. International Rivers visited six villages on the Nakai Plateau, three villages in Project Lands in Gnommalat and Mahaxai, and eleven villages in the Xe Bang Fai and hinterland areas.
Toward Commercial Operation Date (COD), we find that NTPC still has many tasks to compete. We believe that NTPC, Lao PDR government, WB and ADB are responsible to ensure that the project affected communities at least would be able to restore their livelihood. *We believe that if NTPC is to comply with the Concession Agreement, many of the issues raised in the letter must be addressed before the COD later this year. We believe that the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have to take responsibility for ensuring these issues are addressed before COD.
read the letter:
International Rivers Letter to the World Bank, September 8, 2009
Contact:
Ikuko Matsumoto
Lao Program Director
International Rivers