18:50, 24 May 2021

Opponents of Namakhvani HPP refuse to compromise with authorities

Local activits Varlam Goletiani (right) and new director of construction company Merab Lominadze discussing the HPP project, April 3, 2021. Screenshot from video posted by movement 'In defence of the Rioni Gorge'

Activists protesting against the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant (HPP) will march through the streets of Tbilisi if the government does not meet their demands, the leader of the movement “Defenders of the Rioni River Gorge” has reported today after the prime minister urged activists to abandon their ultimatum.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on May 23, residents of the regions of Georgia joined the rally against the construction of the Namakhvani HPP, organized in Tbilisi by the movement “Defenders of the Rioni River Gorge”. The protesters demanded to cancel the contract with the ENKA Company, the construction permit and a government's resolution to transfer the ownership right to the state property to the company, as well as the resignation of the Minister of Economy; they gave 24 hours to authorities to fulfil their demands.

Protests against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP continue for almost six months. On March 29, the Prime Minister of Georgia announced that the construction of the Namakhvan HPP would be suspended for 9-12 months in order to thoroughly check its impact on the environment. However, on April 4, the preparatory works for the construction of the Namakhvan cascade of hydroelectric power plants were resumed despite Georgian authorities' promises.

According to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, “it is strictly unacceptable to use the language of an ultimatum while addressing the authorities.” “I want to appeal to all those people and call for rational thinking. The state is being governed by law and under the Constitution. If anyone ever goes beyond the law, then, of course, the state will response in an appropriate manner,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Today, Varlam Goletiani has announced that the activists are not going to compromise with the authorities. The leader of the movement “Defenders of the Rioni River Gorge” has also added that he will announce the further plans of the activists later.

“We are planning to hold a march. We want to announce a specific plan after the people gather. I think it does not matter where we move and what we block [on the streets of Tbilisi]. The main thing here is that we are waging the adequate and fair struggle,” said Varlam Goletiani as quoted by the “Sputnik-Georgia”.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 24, 2021 at 12:46 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.