Activists gather in Gumati to protest Namokhvani HPP
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, April 5
Yesterday, activists gathered once again to protest the construction of the Namokhvani HPP. They were initially planning to gather in Namokhvani, however, as the police had closed the road, activists decided to set up tents in Gumati.
Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria released a statement about the ongoing events and called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs not to interfere in the realization of the constitutional rights of the opponents of Namokhvani HPP.
Lomjaria also called on the MIA to restore movement in the direction of Namokhvani village, not to use signal suppression equipment or other means that would limit informing the population. The ombudsman says that to avoid the risks of confrontation, the MIA should negotiate with the protesters and not use force against them.
Lomjaria calls on the government to suspend the ongoing construction/ preparation works until a consensus is reached. The office also called on the ministries to conduct a public dialogue.
The ombudsman noted that on April 3, her representative, who was monitoring the ongoing processes in the Rioni Valley reported that the construction works were carried out in the police's presence.
One of the leaders of the protest Varlam Goletiani has announced potential protests in Tbilisi as well that would be held if their demands are not satisfied.
On Saturday, April 3, the resumption of equipment work in the Rioni Valley was followed by a confrontation with police arresting two people. Activists say Enka has resumed construction, while the company says it is only preparatory work.
In the Rioni gorge, in particular, first in the village of Joneti, and then in Namokhvani, the continuous protest has been going on for almost half a year. Thousands of people have gathered many times and held rallies against the construction of Namokhvani HPP in several villages and cities, including Kutaisi.
Namokhvani Cascade project envisages the construction of two independent HPPs in Rioni Valley: Kvemo Namokhvani HPP (333 mV) and Zemo Namakhvani (100 mV). The annual output of the cascade is 1,500.00 GWh, 12% of annual consumption.
Protesters are demanding that the government stop the construction and cancel the contract with the Turkish company Enka.
