Namakhvani HPP protesters gather in Tbilisi, call on gov’t to fulfil demands by 12 p.m. May 24
Saying no to 'giant' HPPs the protesters say the construction is illegal and against the will of the local population. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/RFERL
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Protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani Hydro Power Plant have gathered in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi today and call on the government of Georgia to fulfil their demands by 12 p.m. tomorrow, May 24.
Varlam Goletiani, the leader of Rioni Gorge Defender’s civic movement said during the protest rally that the case of Namakhvani HPP ‘unites a number of problems that concerns each of us in different ways’.
We should see the face of the system in this local issue. We will not stop and bring this fight till the end”, he said, adding that the protesters will stay in Tbilisi until their demands are fulfilled.
He meanwhile noted that if the government fails to make a decision, they will ‘entirely paralyse the city'.
Tomorrow we will shut down the capital and show to the entire world how united and indomitable the Georgian nation is”, Goletiani said, noting that their movement will further unite all the other protests in the country.
Calling on protesters to get ready for a long fight, Varlam Goletiani said this fight should end with people’s victory. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/RFERL
Stressing that they do not intend to develop a revolutionary scenario, Goletiani said ‘we should make wise steps’. He meanwhile said that the government should either decide whether they represent the will of the people, or ‘resign’.
Claiming that the construction of the Namakhvani HPP will cause serious environmental concerns the protesters demand from the Enka Renewables (previously known as Clean Energy Group Georgia LLC) to leave the Rioni gorge.
They also demand from the government to abolish ‘anti-state’ contract aimed at handing over the Rioni gorge into private ownership, announce moratorium on any future construction in energy sector countrywide and dismiss of Energy Minister Natia Turnava.
Protesters have gathered at the First Republic square in Tbilisi demanding the suspension of Namakhvani HPP construction in Rioni gorge. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/RFERL
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in response to today’s anti HPP protest that the country has ensured freedom of expression and democracy since 2012, therefore,to hold protest rallies and express opinions is ‘absolutely normal’.
The Namakhvani HPP Cascade Project entails the construction of two hydroelectric power plants on the Rioni river in Georgia’s Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities:
- The Lower Namakhvani HPP - 333 MW
- The Upper Namakhvani HPP - 100 MW
However, locals and activists patrolling the site for several months say the construction is illegal and against the will of the local population.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava says that the government has plans to hold ‘a large meeting’ in the coming days with all interested parties regarding the controversial Namakhvani HPP project. Residents of Rioni Gorge in western Georgia have been protesting the construction of Namakhvani HPP by the Turkish company ENKA for about 170 days.
The construction of the main facilities of the Namakhvani HPP in western Georgia, in particular the dam and the reservoir, will be suspended until major studies are re-verified and validated, while construction of the auxiliary infrastructure will continue, announces Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava has announced that the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in western Georgia, in particular the dam, will be suspended for the next 12 months.
The government of Georgia has announced that the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in the Imereti region will be suspended for 9 to 12 months until the environmental, geological and seismological surveys are reviewed and confirmed.
It has been two hours since the protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani hydropower plant in western Georgia have been marching along the central streets of the capital city of Tbilisi. From the First Republic Square protesters marched to Freedom Square and blocked Rustaveli Avenue, later returning to First Republic Square where they will continue their demonstration.
Marches, street blockades and pickets to protest the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in western Georgia will resume today at 16:00, announces Varlam Goletiani, the leader of Rioni Gorge Defenders civic movement.
Protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in western Georgia have stopped their protest rally in the capital city of Tbilisi and say that they will continue the fight directly at the construction site of Namakhvani HPP.
Two individuals have allegedly been detained as police and protesters of Namakhvani hydro power plant construction clashed in Rioni Gorge, Varlam Goletiani, the leader of Rioni Gorge Defenders’ civic movement said.
Eight individuals have been released following their detention during clashes with police over the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in western Georgia. Namakhvani HPP protesters, who returned from the Georgian capital of Tbilisi to Rioni gorge on May 26, were holding a demonstration at the iron wall in Gumati village since then.