In November 2003, representatives from BIC, Environmental Defense, and two European NGOs visited the Nam Theun 2 (NT2) project area.
In November 2003, representatives from BIC, Environmental Defense, and two European NGOs visited the Nam Theun 2 (NT2) project area. The following are highlights from their visit:
- Communities lack sufficient and accurate information about the project and its impacts. Villagers living on the Nakai Plateau had no idea as to when and if they might be resettled; company officials informed BIC that the earliest these villagers would be moved is in three years. Villagers along the Xe Bang Fai have been told that ?more water means more fish.” However, the company acknowledged separately that most likely there will be fish losses in the first four to five years.
- Serious questions remain about the ability to conduct real consultations about the project due to a climate of fear and intimidation in Laos. Villagers repeatedly responded to the NGO representatives? questions with: “We agree with the government” statements. A company official confirmed that there has not been, nor ever will be, a consultation on alternatives to this project.
- There is little evidence of a realistic and implementable plan to ensure the livelihoods of communities that are resettled. Although the NGO representatives were shown pilot resettlement sites with “models” designed to provide livelihoods to resettled communities. The specifics on how villagers will be trained to adapt to these new livelihood systems were not clear. Company plans have emphasized the physical move but paid less attention to how communities will then interact with and survive in their new environment.
- Project transparency continues to be a concern. As of yet there is no commitment to release parts of the Power Purchase Agreement or the Concession Agreement to the public.
A trip report will be available in February 2004.