Crowds protesting Namakhvani HPP ready for dialogue, raise demands

Demonstrators who have been protesting the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in the Rioni Gorge of western Georgia for more than 170 days are ready for a ‘constructive dialogue’ with the Georgian government. 

• Crowds hold rally in Kutaisi, protesting construction of Namakhvani HPP

The local organisers of the rally met government representatives in Kutaisi yesterday and put forward their demands. 

• What do we know about the controversial HPP? 

The demands include the removal of the iron wall in the village of Gumati which prevents the demonstrators’ movement to the village of Namakhvani, the suspension of preparatory works for the construction of the HPP by the Turkish company ENKA and allowing the demonstrators to open tents for peaceful protests in the village of Namakhvani again. 

The iron wall in the village of Gumati. Photo: mtisambebi.ge. 

One of the organisers of the rally Varlam Goletiani stated following the meeting that the government ‘seemed to be ready to make concessions’ and that the PM Irakli Garibashvili will be involved in the dialogue as soon as he recovers from coronavirus. 

Ruling party MP Sozar Subari, who attended the meeting, said that one of the key reasons for the protests was a lack of communication. 

He stated that there are questions around the HPP which should be answered. 

• Economy Minister: Namakhvani HPP will provide Georgia with 12% of its electricity consumption needs

The protesters and local NGOs have accused the government of making a ‘cabal agreement’ with ENKA ‘which is against the state interests and poses serious threats to the environment.’ 

Local environmental NGOs have called for drafting procedures for the dialogue and making it clear what should be the goal of the dialogue.