Tuong Duong voters upset because of 'irresponsible hydropower'

Frustration over hydropower

On the afternoon of June 18, National Assembly Deputies Le Quang Huy - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment; Nguyen Huu Cau - Director of Nghe An Provincial Police had a meeting with voters of Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district), after the 7th session.

National Assembly Deputies at the meeting. Photo: Tien Hung

At the conference, all voters expressed their frustration with the hydroelectric plants located in the area. Xa Luong currently has two hydroelectric plants located in the area, Nam Non and Ban Ang.

According to voters, before the hydropower plant was built, many households were surveyed and their assets were counted, but then they were only compensated for the affected land and not allowed to relocate. Meanwhile, the distance between the households and the hydropower plant was too close, affecting the safety of the people.

During the construction process, the blasting forced people to evacuate many times, damaging their houses. They petitioned many times before being compensated, but the compensation was still not satisfactory.

National Assembly deputies visited homes swept away by floodwaters from hydroelectric dams to assess the situation. Photo: Tien Hung

According to voters in Xa Luong commune, the hydropower station is less than 5 meters from people's houses, causing insecurity and threatening people's lives. The hydropower plant's safety warning sign prohibits people from entering the hydropower area within 100 meters, but currently people have to live less than 20 meters from the dam, the walls of houses are even close to the transformer station...

Regarding the settlement of damages arising after the operation of Nam Non hydropower plant, the flood discharge at the end of August 2018 caused the houses of 14 households living along the hydropower plant area to be washed away and collapsed. Currently, the government has counted and prepared documents to submit to competent authorities for consideration, but for nearly a year there have been no results, while people still have no place to live, and the rainy and stormy season is approaching.

Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau visits the wife of Vi Van May, who died after the Nam Non hydropower plant released water without notice, as reported by Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: Tien Hung

'Xiangyang Otter, where are you?'

(Baonghean.vn) - That was the cry of the people of Xieng Huong (Tuong Duong district, Nghe An) while searching for the body of Vi Van May under the Nam Non river. In this riverside village, no one thought that a healthy man, known as an "otter" with his swimming skills, would die in such a tragic way.

Regarding Ban Ang Hydropower Plant, according to voters, this hydropower plant built an embankment to block residential areas that was not in accordance with the original design and drawing...

“If this situation continues, there is a risk that our entire village will have no land to live on. The hydropower plant must be responsible, no one can be blamed. It is the hydropower plant’s fault...”, voter Nguyen Huu Trung was indignant.

Delegates go directly to voters' homes

Speaking at the Conference, Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau said he sympathized with the loss of life and property caused by the hydropower plant, and promised to contribute his voice to the fight for the people.

Regarding the flood discharge at the end of August 2018 that washed away 14 houses, almost a year has passed but the problem has not been resolved, leaving people without a home to live in. According to Colonel Cau, no matter what is said, the government is at fault, and he requested the government to accompany and resolve the issue for the people.

Regarding the incident on May 23, when Nam Non Hydropower Plant released floodwaters without notifying the siren, causing a death, the Provincial Police Director immediately directed the local police to investigate and handle the case according to the law. He also promised voters that he would “do it thoroughly, continue to investigate to determine who is responsible.”

“A human being is precious, how much money is enough to haggle over compensation. If we do something wrong, we must take responsibility,” said Delegate Cau.

The National Assembly Deputies then went to Nam Non Hydropower Plant, the landslide area, to directly inspect and grasp the thoughts and aspirations of the people.