Residents from the Attaran river bank area in Kyaikmayar Township are asking the government to take responsibility for relocating some of their collapsed houses along the river bank.
Local people believe homes have collapsed during the past three years due to the regular passing of large ships and from limestone quarrying at the Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL), plant in the Mt. Pyataung area.
“It is not easy to build a house or to buy one. Relocation will be possible if the government could offer us land. Otherwise, we cannot afford to buy it. We would feel pleased if the government can do anything for us like either offering money or land because our current house is unlivable. It would be great if the government could give us land. Anywhere is fine to us since we do not have a place to stay at the moment,” Daw San Mon, a villager from Kon Ngan village explained her situation.
Mon News Agency recently broadcast TV news about the riverbank erosion, and houses that had collapsed near the shore. To date approximately 30 houses have been destroyed by ground cracks. In addition it has been noted there is now a scarcity of aquatic animals.
The Mon State Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation told Mon News Agency “we need to find out the leading cause of the ground cracks. Local people believe this has never occurred in the village before, but within the last two years, large ships have been frequently passing [in the area]. We can only take action when this matter is brought to the state government.”
Dr. Min Kyi Win suggested the ground cracks in some villages should be inspected by an expert.
“The ground condition should be systematically coordinated with the Union level, and with the cooperation of the Department of Geology Survey and Mineral Exploration, Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, Department of Irrigation and Water Management, and Inland Water Transport. We will be able to proceed and handle the houses [affected once a report is] compiled by experts,” he continued.
Dr. Min Kyi acknowledged that he did not know how the Chief Minister is handling the matter currently.
The State Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation granted 25-year license to Pacific Link Cement Industry Ltd to manufacture large-scale production of raw industrial limestone for MCL cement plant.
Mawlamyine Cement plants were granted a 25-year lease sharing agreement with the government until March 2036. They have invested US$400 million, and hold 30% of the joint venture from state-owned Pacific Link Cement Industry and another 70% share from the Thai firm, Siam Cement Group (SCG).
