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8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8

Report May 2017

Environmental and Social Management for Thaton Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant

Public Consultation Report

Source: Fichtner

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8

Rev No. Rev-date Contents /amendments Prepared/revised Checked/released

0 29.05.2017 Public Consultation Report Sousa Back 1 25.08.2017 Public Consultation Report - Revision 01 Sousa Heinold 2

Sarweystrasse 3 ● 70191 Stuttgart P.O. 10 14 54 ● 70013 Stuttgart Germany Phone: +49 711 8995-0 Fax: +49 711 8995-459

www.fichtner.de Please contact: Sofia Gomes de Sousa Extension: 726 E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.fichtner.de/

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8

Disclaimer

The content of this document is intended for the exclusive use of Fichtner‟s client and

other contractually agreed recipients. It may only be made available in whole or in part to

third parties with the client‟s consent and on a non-reliance basis. Fichtner is not liable to

third parties for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided therein.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 I

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 1-1

1.1 Authorization 1-1

1.2 Task 3.1: Public Consultation 1-1

2. Background and objectives 2-3

3. Participating villages 3-1

4. Description of the sessions 4-1

4.1 Agenda and venues 4-1

4.2 Participants 4-3

4.3 Methods used 4-7

4.4 Presented contents 4-8

4.5 Questions & Answers 4-9

4.5.1 Villagers‟ expectations 4-9

4.5.2 Villagers‟ concerns 4-10

4.5.3 Villagers‟ suggestions 4-10

4.6 Feedback from the public about the sessions 4-12

5. Grievance Redress Mechanism 5-1

6. Recommendations 6-1

6.1.1 On the Grievance Redress Mechanism 6-1

6.1.2 On additional communication measures 6-1

6.1.3 On the environmental and public health monitoring 6-2

7. Annexes 7-1

Annex 1: Leaflet - English and Burmese 7-2

Annex 2: PowerPoint - English and Burmese 7-6

Annex 3: Invitation letter - English and Burmese 7-16

Annex 4: Participants List and filled Registration Form 7-18

2nd

of May, 2017: Morning session at Than Ban village 7-23

2nd

of May, 2017: Afternoon session at Inn Shay village 7-25

3rd

of May, 2017: Morning session at Kyar Ban village 7-27

3rd

of May, 2017: Afternoon session at Nyaung Wyne village 7-29

Annex 5: Feedback form - English and Burmese 7-31

Annex 6: Grievance form - English and Burmese 7-33

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 II

Annex 7: Photographic Documentation 7-36

Preparation of the PC, 1st of May, 2017 7-36

2nd


2nd


3rd


3rd


Annex 8: Questions & Answers (transcript) 7-40

2nd


2nd


3rd


3rd


8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 1-1

1. Introduction

1.1 Authorization

Electric Power Generation Enterprise (EPGE), Myanmar

as Client

appointed the cooperation of

FICHTNER GmbH and Co KG, Germany

as Consultant, and which subcontracted

Myanmar International Consultants Co. Ltd. (MMIC)

to perform the consulting services for the Project

Environmental and Social Management for Thaton Combined

Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant

The Lump Sum Contract, funded by a credit from the International

Development Association (IDA), entered into force on the 24th

of June 2016

after signing by both parties.

The activities performed/planned under the contract can be grouped into 5

main tasks (please refer to the Inception Report for details). The present

report, the Public Consultation Report, is elaborated under the scope of

Task 3.1.

1.2 Task 3.1: Public Consultation

The Consultant supported EPGE in the execution of 4 consultation events

with local communities. The meetings themselves were conducted

primarily by staff of the Thaton Power Plant.

Public hearings/consultations were undertaken to ensure that people had an

opportunity to express their opinion on the Project, especially on matters

sensitive to their lives. The Project promoted the idea of public hearing

among the villages and raised their awareness of its importance.

The Consultant was responsible for the following tasks:

preparation of project presentations;

preparation of handouts and flyers as an information measure;

induction of EPGE staff regarding the meeting agenda, the topics subject of discussion and possible answers on questions that might be posed by

the public.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 1-2

The Project also conducted an advocacy program with the State

Government and related government departments and civil society

organizations to raise their interest in the public hearing and invite them to

participate in the public meetings.

The report at hand presents a description and the results of the Public

Consultation sessions undertaken in May 2017.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 2-3

2. Background and objectives

With the support of the World Bank, the Government of Myanmar through

the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MoEE) has initiated the Myanmar

Electric Power Project (MEPP) for scaling up gas-fired power generation.

The main objective is to attend the country‟s electricity needs and to

improve the reliability and quality of power supply in the country. One of

the components of the MEPP is the construction of a new Gas Turbine

Combined Cycle Power Plant in Thaton, Mon State (the “Project”). Within

MoEE, the Myanmar Electric Power Generation Enterprise (EPGE) is the

entity responsible for the Project.

Public consultations are considered to be important tools in project planning

in general. By definition, public consultation is a regulatory process to seek

the public's input on matters affecting them. Its main goals are improving

the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in large-scale projects,

laws and policies. In the current case, the approach involved project

supporters and the project implementation team in the discussion with local

stakeholders in a manner which stimulated broad public participation.

The Public Consultation for the Project was conducted as a participatory

process to achieve the following specific objectives:

Ensure that the various stakeholders are informed about the project development;

Ensure the pro-active involvement of stakeholders in the planning,

enabling them to participate in the assessment of the environmental

impacts and the potential risks of the project;

Establish a routine of transparency in communication to guarantee support and cooperation in future activities;

Allow the public to understand and appreciate their roles in the various phases of the Project and the MEPP.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 3-1

3. Participating villages

The consultation was undertaken in four (4) villages located in the areas

surrounding the power plant: Kyar Ban, Than Ban, Nyaung Wyne/Lay

Taing 1, and Inn Shay (Figure 3-1). Administratively, the 4 villages are

under the management of the Du Yin Sein village tract, and within 1 and 2

kilometers from the power plant.

Figure 3-1: Location of the participating villages

These villages are the ones most likely to feel negative impacts derived

from the power plant‟s construction and future operation. These villages

have secured power distribution from the future power plant by raising

funds on a self-reliance basis to finance a power distribution network within

their administrative limits (see Socio-Economic Survey Report for further

details). The socio-economic situation of the villages is summarized as

follows:

Kyar Ban village – It is the largest of the four villages with a total of 405 households and a population of 2,144. Kayin households make up about

half of the village with a significant percentage of Pa-oh, Bamar and Mon

households. The main income comes from farming and rubber

plantations. The village counts with a governmental high school which

provides education to children of the Du Yin Seik village tract and some

1 The village of Nyaung Wyne is under the Htaung Hmu Village Tract, together with the

village of Lay Taing. Although the villagers call it Nyaung Wyne, this designation was not

included in official Township Administration Myanmar PC code (Place Code) published by

the MIMU (Myanmar Information Management Unit - www. mimu.mm.org). Therefore,

the village‟s official name is “Lay Taing “.

NyaungWyne

Thaton PP

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 3-2

other neighboring village tracts. There is a village health center staffed

with one health assistant and 2 nurses. It is accessible via the Yangon-

Hpa main motor road.

Than Ban village – It is the village located nearest to the Thaton Power

Plant. It has a total of 151 households and a population of 852. The

majority of the population is Kayin. The main income source is farming,

betel gardening and rubber plantations. It has a governmental primary

school. The village is accessible via the Kyar Ban-Wiyaw inter-district

linking motor road.

Nyaung Wyne village – It is located on the Yangon-Hpa-an main motor road to the south of the Power Plant, and closer to the Thaton Tyre Plant

than to the Power Plant. It has a total of 109 households and a population

of 508. Bamar households form half of the village total. The main

income of the population comes from farm labor and rubber plantations.

Inn Shy village – It is the furthest of the 4 villages from the Power Plant, and is accessible via the Kyar Ban Wiyaw Inter-district linking road. It

has a total of 176 households and the population is 895. The majority of

the population is Kayin and the main income comes from farming,

fishing and gardening. It has a governmental primary school.

Each single household was invited to participate in the public consultation.

The Thaton Power Plant Management contacted the Du Yin Seik Village

Tract Administrator and the Village Electrification Committee (VEC)

members to a meeting to introduce the plans for the consultation and to

request them to mobilize the villagers to attend the consultation. The Village

Tract Administrator in turn called the village heads to a meeting and asked

them to announce the news via messengers and notice boards. VEC

members also visited households in the villages to announce the news and

invite them to attend. Women participation was encouraged to ensure a

gender balanced representation (see Invitation Letter in Annex 3). Fichtner

consulted with village elders on how to motivate women to come and

participate actively in the consultation. In fact, as shown in Section 4.2 of

this report, the public of the sessions was mostly composed of women.

Although the issues to be discussed were more likely to affect individual

persons/families rather than being ethnicity-specific, the participation of

different ethnic groups was also encouraged (see Invitation Letter in Annex

3). In addition, Fichtner has made acquaintance with ethnic leaders and

active villagers during the socio-economic survey, from where a resource

pool in each village was procured to provide clarifications and answers to

individual villagers during and after the sessions.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-1

4. Description of the sessions

A description of the Public Consultation events is made in this Section.

4.1 Agenda and venues

The four public consultation sessions were conducted on the 2nd

and 3rd

of

May 2017. Public buildings in the villages such as Dama Yon 2 and

monasteries were used as venues for the events (Table 4-1).

Table 4-1: Agenda for and location of the Public Consultation sessions

Date Village and Venue

Time Event

2nd of May 2017 Morning

Than Ban

Village Monastery

07:00 -07:30

Arrival and registration of participants

07:30 -08:00

Opening remarks by Thaton Township Deputy Administrative Officer (Mr. Myint Hlaing)

08:00 -

08:30

Presentation of “Myanmar Electric Power Project: construction of the new Thaton PP” by EPGE/ Thaton Power Plant Management

08:30-

09:00

Brief Review of New Thaton Power Plant Project presented by Fichtner’s National Environmental Specialist, Dr. Khin Swe

09:00 -

09:30 Break

09:30 -

10:30 Discussion

2nd of May 2017

Afternoon

Inn Shey

Village Dama Yon

13:00 - 13:30


13:30 -14:00


14:00 -

14:30


2 The national designation for a hall for religious and social gathering of the community.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-2


Time Event

14:30 -

15:00


15:00 -

15:30 Break

15:30 -

16:30 Discussion

3rd of May 2017

Morning

Kyar Ban

Village Dama Yon

07:00 -07:30


07:30 -08:00


08:00 -

08:30


08:30 -

09:00


09:00 -

09:30 Break

09:30 -

10:30 Discussion

3rd of May 2017

Afternoon

Nyaung Wyne

Village Dama Yon

13:00 -13:30


13:30 -14:00

Opening remarks by U Soe Lwin, Superintendent Engineer, EPGE

14:00 -14:30


14:30 -

15:00


8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-3


Time Event

15:00 -

15:30 Break

15:30 -

16:30 Discussion

4.2 Participants

Several entities have been involved in the organization and conduction of

the sessions:

EPGE (Electric Power Generation Enterprise): EPGE is, within MoEE, the entity responsible for the Thaton Power Plant Project; EPGE

organized the consultation sessions and answered questions from the

public;

Thaton Power Plant: a team of directors, managers and engineers of the

existing Thaton Power Plant; supported the consultation sessions and

answered questions from the public;

World Bank: provides support to the Government of Myanmar through the Myanmar Electric Power Project (MEPP); participated in the

consultation sessions with a team of observers;

Fichtner: provides Environmental, Health & Safety consultancy services to the Project; supported the elaboration of materials, organization and

conduction of the consultation sessions;

CEEC: acts as the construction contractor for the Project; supported the

sessions by answering questions from the public;

Local and regional authorities: acted as representatives of the government and the affected persons:

General Administrative Department (GAD) of Thaton;

Department of Land Management and Statistics (DLMS) of Thaton,

Departments of Electricity Supply of Thaton;

Departments of Police of Thaton;

Village Tract Administrator of the Du Yin Seik Village Tract;

Village Electricity Committees (VEC).

EPGE, through the Ministry of Electricity and Energy informed and

obtained approval from the Mon State Government to conduct the public

consultation. The Thaton Power Plant Management invited the Thaton

Township General Administrative Department and other related

departments to participate in the consultations. Fichtner‟s national team

visited villages to meet village heads, ethnic leaders, Village Electrification

Committee members and active members of village welfare groups to

inform and solicit their participation in the events.

Altogether ca. 200 persons participated in the consultation for the 4 villages

in total (see the Participants List and the filled Registration Forms in Annex

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-4

4). Besides the general public, several national and international

stakeholders participated (Table 4-2).

Table 4-2: List of participants (besides the general public)

Date Village and Venue Participants

All sessions All villages

Mr. Martin Fodor, Senior Environment Specialist, World Bank

Mr. Alan D. Lee, Energy Specialist, World Bank

Daw Su Khin Lay Oo, Deputy Director, EPGE, Nay Pyi Taw

Daw Phyu Phyu Win, Assistant Engineer, EPGE, Nay Pyi Taw

U Kaung Htet Han, Assistant Engineer, EPGE, Nay Pyi Taw

U Soe Lwin, Superintendent Engineer at the Thaton Power Plant

Mr. Luan, HSE officer, CEEC

Mr. Yang, HSE Assistant officer, CEEC

Dr. Hans Back, Team Leader, Fichtner

Dr. Daw Khin Swe, National Environmental Specialist, Fichtner

U Kan Sein, National Social Specialist, Fichtner

U Myint Soe, National Facilitator, Fichtner

2nd of May 2017

Morning

Than Ban

Village Monastery

Mr. Myint Hlaing, Deputy Township Officer of General Administrative Department (GAD), Thaton

Mr. Tun Tun Win, Township officer of Department of Land Management and Statistics (DLMS)

Mr. Win Maung, Township Officer of Department of Electricity Supply

Mr. Win Maung, Township Officer of Department of Police

Mr. Nay Myo Thant, Deputy Township officer of Department of Police

Mr. Kyaw Tun, Village Tract Administrator, Du Yin Seik Village Tract

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-5

Date Village and Venue Participants

2nd of May 2017

Afternoon

Inn Shey

Village Dama Yon

Mr. Myint Hlaing, Deputy Township officer of General Administrative Department (GAD), Thaton

Mr. Kyaw Win Tun, Township officer of Department of Land Management and Statistics (DLMS)


Mr. Win Maung, Township Officer of Department of Police

Mr. Nay Myo Thant, Deputy Township Officer of Department of Police


3rd of May 2017

Morning

Kyar Ban

Village Dama Yon

Mr. Myint Hlaing, Deputy Township officer of General Administrative Department (GAD), Thaton

Mr. Kyaw Win Tun, Township Officer of Department of Land Management and Statistics (DLMS)


Mr. Nay Myo Thant, Deputy Township Officer of Department of Police


3rd of May 2017

Afternoon

Nyaung Wyne

Village Dama Yon

Mr. Kyaw Win Tun, Township officer of Department of Land Management and Statistics (DLMS)

Mr. Win Maung, Township Officer of Department of Electricity Supply 3

3 The Htaung Hmu Village Tract Administator and 100-household head were not present.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-6

The participants‟ (general public) livelihood is shown in Figure 4-1 and in

Figure 4-2. Most of the participants are farmers (betel, rice, rubber, and

others). Casual laborers were also present, and to a smaller extent vendors,

government employees, skilled workers4, dependents and students.

Figure 4-1: Livelihood of the participants

Figure 4-2: Livelihood of the participants per village

In all four sessions most of the participants were women, with percentages

varying between 58.5% and 75.6% (Figure 4-3).

4 Skilled workers include masons, carpenters, tricycle taxi drivers, bicycle repairers, school

teachers, etc.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-7

Figure 4-3: Male/Female ratio of the participants

4.3 Methods used

The events were conducted in Burmese. Discussion with ethnic leaders prior

to the consultation confirmed that people could communicate fairly well in

Burmese, and therefore no translators for different ethnic tribes were

required.

At the beginning every participant was asked to register on forms provided

(See Annex 4 for filled Registration Forms).

Fichtner drafted a Leaflet explaining briefly the project and drafted a Power

Point Presentation of the Project (Annexes 1 and 2 to this report). This draft

presentation was finalized and translated into Burmese. Staff from the

Thaton PP held the presentation in Burmese and Fichtner‟s local specialists

guided through the public consultations and moderated the discussion after

the presentation.

The power point presentation was used to introduce the project and inform

the participants of its possible environmental and social impacts (positive as

well as negative). The leaflet (ca. 200 units) was distributed in advance to

reinforce the messages.

Issues and concerns that affect the public and possible solutions for

addressing the concerns were discussed together with personnel from

EPGE, the existing Thaton Power Plant, Fichtner (the HSE Consultant),

CEEC (the Construction Contractor), and the Village Electricity Committee.

During the consultation sessions, local snacks and green tea were served for

refreshment. Two consultants from Fichtner‟s National Team and the

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-8

Thaton Power Plant Management moderated the discussion after the

presentation and answered the posed questions.

To document the Public Consultation, especially the questions and answer

session, the whole event was (audio & video) recorded.

At the beginning of the event a feedback form (Annex 5 to this report) was

handed out to the participants and collected at the end. Grievance

Redressing Forms in Burmese were also handed out to participants for

possible future use (Annex 6 to this report). T-shirts with the MoEE‟s logo

were presented to the village representatives as gifts in commemoration of

the event.

4.4 Presented contents

Two presentations have been made during each of the sessions. The first

one, whose copy can be consulted in Annex 2 of this Report, covered the

following subjects:

1. Introduction of the Project (Background, Team, Brief Project

Description, Impressions from the construction site)

2. Possible environmental impacts and mitigation

3. Water pipelines

4. Grievance mechanism

5. Safety issues of the old power plant

6. Questions & Answers Session

This presentation allowed the public to become aware of what is being built,

of the possible negative and positive environmental and social impacts and

management, of how the construction site is being managed, how complains

can be filed, and on the suggestions on how the existing power plant can

operate safely in the future.

A second presentation was held by Fichtner‟s National Environmental

Specialist, Dr. Khin Lay Swe on the “Importance of Environmental and

Social Aspects for the Construction Project to comply with the Myanmar

legislation and the World Bank (IFC) Guidelines for the Environmental and

Social Considerations”. During this presentation it was emphasized that the

new Thaton CCGT Power Plant is required to comply with international and

national 5 legislation/requirements during construction and operation. The

roles of community participation and information disclosure have been

highlighted and the public has been invited to provide suggestions on the

project‟s implementation.

5 Environmental Conservation Law (2012), Environmental Conservation Rules (2014),

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures (2015), and National Environmental Quality

(Emissions) Guidelines (2015) were enacted in Myanmar.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-9

4.5 Questions & Answers

The villagers‟ expectations, concerns and suggestions expressed during the

Questions & Answers (Q&A) sessions in all four villages are summarized in

the following sub-sections. A transcript of the Q&A sessions is available in

Annex 8 to this report.

4.5.1 Villagers’ expectations

The communities surrounding the Project expressed their expectations

during the sessions regarding electricity supply and related economic

benefits. It shall be noted that the Project presented cannot directly

guarantee opportunities to locally connect to the electrical grid, but instead

is planned in a national context. This has been clarified during the session.

These villagers‟ expectations are summarized as follows:

a) Extending grid connections and improving quality of supply: It was

known before the consultation that the village households (particularly

those who still cannot afford to get connected to the self help

electrification system) would request improvements to their electricity

supply (more connections and better quality). During the sessions, the

villagers were informed that the new power plant is not part of a

township or regional plan, but instead intends to supply power to the

national grid. However, the villagers were reluctant to accept it and

expressed their disappointment with the situation. It is likely that this

issue will be again raised when operation of the Power Plant commences.

EPGE and the Local and Regional Governments should keep the

grievance mechanism open to register and respond to the communities‟

wishes/complains/suggestions to the extent possible.

b) Improvement of the self help village electrification system6:

Households connected to the self help electrical power line expressed

their general dissatisfaction with the performance of the system. The

main problems pointed were shortage and uneven allocation of

transformers, and low quality cable line (causing problems of voltage

transmission especially for the households at the far ends of the line). It

was suggested that local people should request support to the Village

Electrification Committee.

c) Economic benefits: The community in Inn Shey and Kyar Ban villages

expressed their expectation to get general economic benefits from the

new Power Plant. Possible benefits are expected from an eventual

increased access to electrical power, including: selling refrigerated

drinks, providing photocopying services, computer desk top publishing,

media production, small rice mills, etc. All these micro enterprises would

need a certain level of investment and technical skills, which, according

to the findings from the social survey, many households cannot afford

6 See Socio-Economic Survey Report for further details on this system

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-10

(see Socio-Economic Survey report). Therefore, it is Fichtner‟s opinion

that other agencies with specific mandates for community development

would need to be involved to fulfill these expectations.

4.5.2 Villagers’ concerns

Concerns were raised regarding social disturbance and environmental

pollution:

d) Social disturbance: The Kyar Ban villagers expressed their concern that

the construction works will bring outsiders (laborers, truck drivers, etc)

to their neighborhood, disrupting the existing social harmony and

stability by an alien culture and behavior (it reportedly happened in

previous projects). It was replied that most of the labour and transport

services were recruited from the neighboring localities and therefore it

was unlikely that such cases would take place. Nevertheless, the community reported their worry with possible incidents and requested for

remedial actions in case these would be verified. The villagers were told

that one of the objectives of the public consultation is to open a

communication channel between the community and EPGE/CEEC for

reporting of such incidents.

e) Environment pollution: Although the public consultation sessions

informed that there would be low air and water pollution related impacts

deriving from the project, the community in Inn Shey expressed its

concern about the unforeseeable impacts in the future. The villagers

requested evidence to prove the Project‟s claim of minimum impact.

4.5.3 Villagers’ suggestions

One suggestion has been made by the public during the sessions:

f) Opening of communication channels for emergencies: The community

in Kyar Ban village suggested keeping a phone line (hotline) open to

report to responsible persons (village tract administrator, village heads,

Village Electrification Committee, power plant management) in the event

of emergencies. It was suggested that billboards should be erected

containing the names and phone numbers of responsible persons, and that

these are placed at the road crossings or strategic places within the

villages. The moderator informed that the suggestions were valid and

citing from his previous experiences, similar arrangements had been

made in some express road construction projects funded by a regional

banking organization. However, the community was informed that the

cooperation of all people concerned would be needed to establish the

hotline reporting system and to make it functional. For example, at least a

person (on rotation duty) would attend to the emergency calls and report

to responsible persons for taking action.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-11

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 4-12

4.6 Feedback from the public about the sessions

In order to register the opinion of the public about the consultation sessions,

a feedback form was distributed (see Annex 5 to this report). In total, 76

filled feedback forms have been collected. A summary of the data collected

can be consulted in Table 4-3.

Feedback forms

Total number of respondents = 76 Percentage of respondents who found the presentation interesting 93.4% Percentage of respondents who said it was easy to understand and follow 94.7% Percentage of respondents who said they received all the information they wanted

86.8%

Percentage of respondents who said they were satisfied with the Consultation Event

89.5%

Percentage of respondents who said that experts were able to answer all their questions

86.8%

Percentage of respondents who found the consultation event: Good 34.2%

Fair 14.5% Poor 1.3%

Table 4-3: Summary of the data collected with the feedback forms

The data collected shows that the public was generally very satisfied with

the events, that the information was clearly transmitted, and that all

questions have been answered. No stakeholder wrote down any additional

question in the designated space in the form, and all suggestions made

regard exclusively economical and supply issues related to electricity supply

(i.e., there were no direct suggestions on how to improve the consultation

event).

It can therefore be stated that the Public Consultation was successfully

undertaken and fulfilled its objectives of informing the public and opening

space for constructive discussions.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 5-1

5. Grievance Redress Mechanism

A form for reporting grievances developed by Fichtner was handed out to

the villagers during the public consultation (Annex 6 to this report). In case

of any concern, question or complaint linked to the construction and

operation of the new CCGT Power Plant in Thaton, people can fill out these

forms. These will be offered at several locations, namely the Village

Administrator Office in Kyar Ban village, the Yar Ein Hmu 7 in the villages,

and the old power plant administrative office. The forms will be monitored

regularly and followed up immediately.

To complement the GRM established by EPGE, Fichtner has established

contacts with ethnic leaders and active villagers in the area that can provide

clarifications and answers to individual villagers regarding the project and

its impacts. Fichtner will keep contact with these persons to assess whether

the villagers have been consulting them and what have been the results.

7 Yar Ein Hmu is a position in the village administrative system, which is one step lower

that the Village Tract Administrator. He/she is elected by a group of village representatives

nominated by the population. In other words, a village tract has a Village Tract

Administrator, and the villages within the village tract have Yar Ein Hmu as village head.

Literally it means “Head of Hundred Households”. For simplicity sake, it can also be called

village head.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 6-1

6. Recommendations

Based on the results of the public consultation, the following is

recommended.

6.1.1 On the Grievance Redress Mechanism

It is recommended that the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) presented

during the public sessions is immediately activated, i.e., that the forms are

placed in the locations foreseen. The GRM shall be kept open and functional

throughout the whole project life (construction and operation).

EPGE is recommended to undertake active and passive monitoring of the

grievances received. On the one hand, it is recommended that EPGE

regularly inquires the persons responsible for the forms (in the Village

Administrator Office in Kyar Ban village, the Yar Ein Hmu in the villages,

and in the old power plant administrative office) about the reception of grievances. On the other hand, these persons shall immediately forward any

complaints received to EPGE.

The complainants shall receive an answer to their grievances in a short

period of time in the form selected by themselves. The GRM will not allow

nor promote discrimination based on age, gender, income level, ethnicity,

religion or others, and will allow the placement of anonymous complains

(which, however, precludes providing an answer).

It is recommended that EPGE keeps a dedicated register for the grievances

received and the answers provided.

Considering the local characteristics, Fichtner recommends in addition that

the GRM is extended to include ethnic leaders as official recipients of

grievances. Rather than recurring to political representatives, the ethnic

households are more likely to communicate directly with the ethnic leaders.

These leaders meet regularly with governmental departments and other

organizations, and may support the transmission and resolution of

grievances.

6.1.2 On additional communication measures

During one of the sessions, it was suggested that a phone line would be

created so that villagers could to report to responsible persons in the event

of emergencies. It was suggested as well that billboards should be erected

containing the names and phone numbers of responsible persons, and that

these are placed at the road crossings or strategic places within the villages.

It is recommended that EPGE analyses this possibility, as this is a common

practice in donor funded projects worldwide, and allows the public to better

accept the project.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 6-2

6.1.3 On the environmental and public health monitoring

Despite all the explanations provided regarding the environmental

management at the construction site, and the advanced technology of the

new plant, the villagers repeatedly expressed their concerns regarding

eventual negative health and environmental impacts from the project.

In order to provide evidence of the project‟s “clean” construction and

operation, the following could be undertaken:

a) Monitoring of air, noise and water quality: once per month during

construction and twice per year during operation; disclosure of the results

to the communities. Important note: The monthly monitoring of at least

water quality during construction is a demand of the Project‟s EMSP.

b) Monitoring of health indicators: the project could coordinate with the

township health department and rural health center in Kyar Ban to

monitor the incidence rates of extraordinary diseases in the villages.

Alternatively, the project could have access to health data collected

quarterly or biannually from the rural health center. In any case, the

results should be regularly reported back to the communities.

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v8 7-1

7. Annexes

Annex 1. Leaflet - English and Burmese

Annex 2. PowerPoint - English and Burmese

Annex 3. Invitation letter - English and Burmese

Annex 4. Participants List and filled Registration form

Annex 5. Feedback form - English and Burmese

Annex 6. Grievance form - English and Burmese

Annex 7. Photographic documentation

Annex 8. Questions & Answers (transcript)

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-2

Annex 1: Leaflet - English and Burmese

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-3

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-4

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-5

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-6

Annex 2: PowerPoint - English and Burmese

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-7

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-8

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-9

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8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-11

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-12

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-13

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-14

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-15

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-16

Annex 3: Invitation letter - English and Burmese

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-17

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-18

Annex 4: Participants List and filled Registration Form

Public Consultation: Thaton Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant, Myanmar, May 2017

List of Participants

Nr. Name

M/F Occupation Contact information

Village Counter

1 Mg Kaung Myat Aung M student 9787790278 Than Ban 1

2 Mg Aung Thiha M Student nil Than Ban 1

3 Ma Su Su Aung F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

4 Daw Than Naing, F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

5 U Paw Tin M Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

6 U Hpar Lu M Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

7 Daw Tin Hpway F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

8 Daw Ma Mu F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

9 Daw Khin Hla F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

10 U Khin Maung Chin M Gardening nil Than Ban 1

11 Daw Poh Poh F Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

12 Daw Ma Ngo F Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

13 Daw Po Khine F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

14 Daw Mu Thet F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

15 Daw Sandar Win F Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

16 Daw Khine Khin Aye F Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

17 U Tin Win M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

18 Daw Saw Shwe F Gardening nil Than Ban 1

19 Daw Ma Maw F Gardening nil Than Ban 1

20 U Kun Zaw Win M Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

21 U Tin Naing M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

22 U Hla Kyaing M Gardening nil Than Ban 1

23 U Mya Than M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

24 U Maing Maing M Gardening nil Than Ban 1

25 Daw Aye Nu F Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

26 Daw Thein Yee F Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

27 Daw Khin Hla Kyi F Staff (Tyre Factory) nil Than Ban 1

28 U Kyaw Win M Betel leave gardening nil Than Ban 1

29 Daw Mi Mi F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

30 Daw Nu Sein F Gardening nil Than Ban 1

31 Daw Po F Casual labor nil Than Ban 1

32 U Thar Nge M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

33 Daw Lu Lu F Gardening nil Than Ban 1

34 Daw Thida Pyone F Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

35 Daw Nar Nu F Market Vendor nil Than Ban 1

36 Daw Than Nu F Gardening nil Than Ban 1

37 U Han Htay M Gardening nil Than Ban 1

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-19



Nr. Name


Village Counter

38 U Hla Min Than M Staff(village administration office

9254989540 Than Ban 1

39 U Myint Kyi M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

40 Daw Naw Mi F Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

41 U Maung Pyae M Paddy Farming nil Than Ban 1

42 Daw Ma Aye F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

43 Daw San Lwin F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

44 Daw Soe Thu Zar F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

45 Daw Thein Nyunt F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

46 U Aye Myaing M Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

47 Daw Pyone F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

48 Daw Thazin Kyi F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

49 U Maw Naw Hla M Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

50 Daw Mu Nu F Gardening nil Inn Shey 1

51 Daw NawTha Dar F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

52 Ma Htay Mi F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

53 U Mu Sone M Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

54 U Hlaing Myint M Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

55 U Ni Ki M Betel leave gardening nil Inn Shey 1

56 Daw Hla Yee F Dependent nil Inn Shey 1

57 Ma Kham Mu F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

58 Ma Hpaw Suu F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

59 Daw Pee 'New F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

60 U Phone Myint Aung M Gardening nil Inn Shey 1

61 Daw Sa Wyne F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

62 Daw Na Ni F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

63 Daw Thinn Thinn F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

64 Daw Tha Ya Poe F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

65 Daw Pu Pu F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

66 Daw Tin Aye F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

67 Daw Mu Ko F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

68 U Thet Swe Aung M Market Vendor nil Inn Shey 1

69 Daw Jar Aw F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

70 U Hpo Tha Htoo M Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

71 Daw Pu sone F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

72 U Hpa Pee M Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

73 Daw Ka Lu Lu F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

74 Daw Ki Ne F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

75 Daw Nyein Tin F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

76 Daw Tin Pae F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-20



Nr. Name


Village Counter

77 Daw Ku Kar F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

78 Daw Ta Pae F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

79 Daw Sein Pu F Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

80 U Ka Lu Hpo M Paddy Farming nil Inn Shey 1

81 Ma Mu Aung F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

82 Ma Hla Htay F Casual labor nil Inn Shey 1

83 U Pone Nge M Paddy Farming nil Kyar Ban 1

84 U Tin Soe M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

85 U Bo Kay M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

86 U Myint Than M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

87 U Than Yee M Retired Employee nil Kyar Ban 1

88 U Myint Oo M Paddy Farming nil Kyar Ban 1

89 U Nay Win M Paddy Farming nil Kyar Ban 1

90 U Kyaw Moe Lwin M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

91 U Aung Soe M Mason nil Kyar Ban 1

92 U Thet Khine Win M Mason nil Kyar Ban 1

93 Ma Khine Tha Zin F Casual labor nil Kyar Ban 1

94 Ma Myint Thein F Casual labor nil Kyar Ban 1

95 Daw Thin Zar soe F Dependent nil Kyar Ban 1

96 U Kyaw Tint M Carpenter nil Kyar Ban 1

97 Daw Aye Cho F Rubber Plantation nil Kyar Ban 1

98 Daw Pyo F Rubber Plantation nil Kyar Ban 1

99 Daw Sein May F Rubber Plantation nil Kyar Ban 1

100 Daw Tin Moe F Rubber Plantation nil Kyar Ban 1

101 Ma Myint Thway F Rubber Plantation nil Kyar Ban 1

102 Daw Mi Pyo F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

103 Daw Tin Shwe F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

104 U Hla Myint Thein M Bicycle Repair nil Kyar Ban 1

105 Daw Wai Khine F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

106 U Win Kyi M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

107 Daw Myint Thein F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

108 Daw Thazin 'New F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

109 U Htay Kyaw M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

110 Daw Htay Htay Thein F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

111 U Maung Aung M Paddy Farming nil Kyar Ban 1

112 Daw Than Sein F Paddy Farming nil Kyar Ban 1

113 Daw Tin Tin Win F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

114 Daw San Aye F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

115 Daw Ngwe Sein F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

116 Daw Khin Moh Moh F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-21



Nr. Name


Village Counter

117 U Mya Oo M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

118 Daw Tin Tin Nw'e F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

119 Daw Win Yee F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

120 Daw Saw Kyi F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

121 Daw Myint Kyi F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

122 Daw Win Shwe F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

123 Daw San Yee F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

124 Daw He F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

125 U Hla Oo M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

126 U Ohn Than M Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

127 Daw Pu Yee F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

128 Daw Than Than Aye F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

129 Daw Mi Hla Win F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

130 Daw Nyein Hla F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

131 Daw Than Than New F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

132 Daw Mi Cho F Gardening nil Kyar Ban 1

133 Ma Than Aye F Casual labor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

an Daw Khin Khin Win F Staff (Tyre Factory) nil Nyaung Wyne 1

135 U Hla Htay M Retired Employee nil Nyaung Wyne 1

136 U Kyaw Khin M Retired Employee nil Nyaung Wyne 1

137 Ma Kwee Kwee F Dependent nil Nyaung Wyne 1

138 U Hla Htay M Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

139 Daw Htwe Maw F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

140 Daw Thi Thi Khine F Casual labor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

141 Daw Nyunt Than F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

142 Daw Mya Mya Soe F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

143 Daw Nyunt Shwe F Retired Employee nil Nyaung Wyne 1

144 Daw Sein Mya F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

145 Daw Sein Thaung F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

146 Daw Naw Hpaw Htoo F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

147 Daw Kyin Than F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

148 Daw Win F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

149 Daw naw Hpaw F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

150 Daw Kyi Thein F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

151 U Win Zaw M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

152 Daw Tin Hla F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

153 U Hpo Zaw M Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

154 Daw Cho F Dependent nil Nyaung Wyne 1

155 Daw Khin New Htun F Dependent nil Nyaung Wyne 1

156 U Hpo Ta Ka Lin M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-22



Nr. Name


Village Counter

157 Daw Li Ki F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

158 U Hpo Kalar M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

159 Ma Su Mon F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

160 Ma Khin Win Than F Dependent nil Nyaung Wyne 1

161 Ko Kyaw M Tricycle Driver nil Nyaung Wyne 1

162 Ma Khin Hnin Oo F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

163 U Hpyo Min Zaw M School Teacher nil Nyaung Wyne 1

164 Daw Kay Thi Mon F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

165 Daw Nanag Shwe F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

166 Daw May Sun Mu F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

167 Daw Aye Myaing F Market Vendor nil Nyaung Wyne 1

168 U Ohn Pe M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

169 U Saw Oo M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

170 U Myo Win M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

171 U Lu Aye M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

172 Daw Khin Soe Win F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

173 U Zin Paing M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

174 Daw Tin Khine F Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

175 U Pe Win M Gardening nil Nyaung Wyne 1

176 U Win Maung M Dependent nil Nyaung Wyne 1

177 Daw Khin San Yee F Retired Employee nil Nyaung Wyne 1

178 U Myo Min M Sewing nil Nyaung Wyne 1

179 Daw Wa Thone Oo F Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

180 Daw Chit Aye F Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

181 U Kyaw Min Htun M Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

182 Daw Khin Yu F Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

183 Daw Sein Sein Htwe F Paddy Farming nil Nyaung Wyne 1

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-23

2nd of May, 2017: Morning session at Than Ban village

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-24

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-25

2nd of May, 2017: Afternoon session at Inn Shay village

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-26

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-27

3rd of May, 2017: Morning session at Kyar Ban village

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-28

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-29

3rd of May, 2017: Afternoon session at Nyaung Wyne village

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-30

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-31

Annex 5: Feedback form - English and Burmese

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-32

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-33

Annex 6: Grievance form - English and Burmese

Gender:

Title or Occupation:

Name: (Please do not fill this field if you would like to remain anonymous)

Please mark how you wish to be contacted

Post

Personally Telephone E-mail Others

Address: Contact number: E-mail address:

Please specify:

Preferred language for communication

Mynamar

Others

Please specify:

Description of Incident or Grievance (What happened? Where did it happen? Who did it happen to? What is the result of the problem?)

Date of Incident/Grievance:

One time incident/grievance? Date: Happened more than once? How many times? On-going (currently experiencing problem) Do you have suggestions on how to solve the problem?

I request you not to disclose my identity to third parties without my previous written consent Signature: (Please do not fill this field if you would like to remain anonymous)

Location:

Date:

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-34

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-35

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-36

Annex 7: Photographic Documentation

Preparation of the PC, 1st of May, 2017

(a) Thaton EPGE office meeting, 12h (b) Thaton EPGE office meeting, 12h

(c)Thaton EPGE office meeting, 17h (d) Thaton EPGE office meeting, 17h

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-37


(a) The poster for the Public Consultation meeting

(b) Registration of the village participants

(c) Question by a villager of Than Ban Village

(d) Answer by a WB expert

(e) Answer by CEEC (f) Answer by Thaton EPGE staff


(a) PC at Inn Shey village monastery (b) Registration

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-38

(c) Question by a villager (d) Question by a village woman


(a)Registration (b) Opening speech by Township Administrator

(c) HSE Team from EPGE Nay Pyi Taw

(d) Question by a villager


(a)Nyaung Wyne village (b) Participants

(c) A presentation by Dr. Khin, Fichtner’s National Environmental

(d) Question by a village woman

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-39

Specialist, on possible environmental impacts and their management

(e) Feedback from the responsible persons of Thaton EPGE and CEEC

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-40

Annex 8: Questions & Answers (transcript)


Question (1): A villager – “We are living at the nearest place of the power

station. There are many households who cannot afford the charge of

installation of electricity. For those people, we would like to ask for

electricity with reduced price or free of charges.”

Answer: U Win Maung (Township Engineer, Electricity Supply Enterprise)

– “The State has permitted to conduct the electricity distribution on a self-

reliance based system. Previously the cost of electricity of the self-reliance

electricity power line distribution system was 700,000 Kyats per household.

These days it was reduced to 330,000 Kyats.”

Answer: U Kan Sein (National Social Specialist, Fichtner) – “The villagers

need to negotiate with the Village Electricity Committee to find ways and

means to get reduced prices for electricity distribution by the self-reliance

based system.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (2): A villager – “Than Ban village is situated at the nearest place

with the Power Station, and the villagers have to suffer the negative

impacts. However, what are the positive impacts/ benefits of the project to

us? There are wooden power poles constructed several years ago, and many

of these structures are in danger of collapse. I would like to request all

Township authorities to solve the problem in a quick manner. These poles

can easily fall down under a strong wind or heavy rains.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “The EPGE used good quality

cables with insulators to reduce the danger to the locals.

The wooden power poles and 6.6kV line were constructed and connected by

different organizations, such as Military, Rubber factory. Therefore the

responsibility should be taken by different organizations. We will inform

these organizations to repair the wooden power poles.”

Answer: Mr. Luan (CEEC) – “Because of the construction of the new plant,

many local people from nearby villages come and work at the site.

Therefore, job opportunities are created in the villages. The shops, such as

small food and snack shops, restaurants, the sellers of engine oil, diesel oil

also get good sales.”

Answer: Mr. Alan (WB) – “The World Bank is happy working with

Myanmar in development programs. WB funds are allocated firstly to the

Planning and Finance Ministry, and then the ministry managed to distribute

the funds to most needy projects. The WB gives priority to the community

driven development programs. At present, the Department of Rural

Development received these funds and hundreds of villages are gaining

benefits of this.”

___________________________________________________________

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-41

Question (3): A villager – “At the time of surveying at our villages two

years ago, before the project started, it was said that priority would be given

to the poor people for village electrification. But this was not realized. The

next question relates to the repair of old power poles which are almost

broken apart and in a very dangerous condition. We all are worried for that.

We ask you for help to repair these poles in a quick manner.”

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “There are currently

community driven programs in Myanmar with WB funds in many villages.

The program provided about 20,000,000 Kyats per village and it includes

rural electrification, road construction and others.”


– “All organizations responsible for the poles were informed of the problem

and the need to repair the poles. I will inform these organizations (Military

and Ruber Factory) again.”

Answer: CEEC representative – “Because of the project, many local

villagers get jobs at the construction site, and many shops will have a better

income than before.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “After completion of the new

CCGT, the electricity will be transported to the National grid line and

distributed to the whole country – most necessary areas. By doing so, the

break down and insufficiency of electricity will be recovered. Thaton, being

the original place for electricity production should be proud of this.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (4): A villager – “The power of electricity is not sufficient, and

not in a good condition. I would like to know the reasons for this and if

there any plans for improvement.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “The power/ voltage of electricity

also depends on the materials used, such as the quality of the lines, the

number of households connected, the distance from the power distribution

line, etc. It also depends on the users who should take care not to waste the

power. The village electricity committee should do a regular check of the

lines and the old ones should be replaced with new quality standard lines.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (5): A villager – “Is there some more distribution lines for these

villages?”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “We will use the existing power

distribution lines, there will be no extension.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (6): A villager – “Because of the Thaton CCGT, the nearest

villages like Than Ban had to suffer bad impacts. For example, the waters of

the lake “Pale Inn” were polluted by the release of polluted water/ waste

water from the factory. There were some evidences that some fishes were

found dead in the lake. The water from some places, near to the factory,

showed acidity. Only about 15 % of the village households are able to bear

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-42

the cost of electricity, while the rest are not. We want to ask the project to

help us (these people) as a compensation of the bad impacts of the project.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “The old Thaton GT used natural

gas and the cooling system is also air cooled so that there is almost no

waste water and pollution emitted from the old power plant. „Pale‟ Inn‟s

pollution may be caused by other reason. We will investigate and will reply

the result as soon as possible. The new power plant will also use natural gas

and an air cooling system, and the waste water will be treated and reused.

Therefore, there will be no concerns about it.”

(Remarks: We took undisturbed water sample from the Pale Inn and sent it

to the Laboratory to test the water quality. We will publish the result of the

water quality to the website after getting the water result from the

Laboratory as soon as possible.)

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “The new Power

Plant will be constructed with modern technologies, and the water released

to the environment will be treated and there will be no harm caused to the

people and environment.”


– “The rich people will help and support the poor people who cannot bear

the cost of electricity within the village. The village electrification

committee will also reduce the current price of 330,000 Kyats into 150,000

Kyats in coming June, it has been decided. To consider the whole country,

only the 37% of the people have electricity access at present. The

government is striving to produce more electricity through possible means –

hydropower, solar power, coal fired power plants, and etc.”

Answer: U Saw Naung (Chairman, VEC) – “We are working and

processing for distribution of electricity with the cost of 150,000 Kyats for

installation per household. I can promise it will be realized soon. The ones

who previously paid 700,000 Kyats or 330,000 Kyats for the installation

should have understanding and agree to this decision.”

Answer: U Kan Sein (National Social Specialist, Fichtner) – “The first

people who got connected for a higher price shall think of this as a donation.

Because of their initiative, the next generation will have easy access to

electricity. Both of these groups should have understanding of cooperation

and help each other.”


Question (1): A villager – “After the completion of the new CCGT, are

there any plans to support the communities who cannot afford the

installation of electricity? Only about 15% of the households have

electricity access. We want to support the remaining people who cannot

afford it.”

Answer: U Win Maung (Township Engineer, Electricity Supply

Enterprise) – “As we all know, except for the urban residential quarters of

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-43

Thaton Town, the villages located within the Thaton Township 8 have relied

on the “self-help village electrification system” and used their own

transformers. Some villages have shown a good example, such as Naung

Kalar village, which can distribute electricity to about 1,500 households

with a reduced initial cost of 150,000 Kyats. The electricity produced by the

new PP will be fed into the national grid and will be distributed to the whole

country. There will be no program to distribute it to specific locations.”

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “The electricity is

distributed to the most needy and targets places selected nation wise, not

particular places considered and decided by one specific State.”

__________________________________________________________

Question (2): A villager – “If it is explained that there will be no adverse

effects on the people, will there be such adverse effects in the long term?”

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “The construction

contractor must follow the laws, procedures and guidelines enacted by the

Environmental Conservation Department, and avoid producing adverse

effects. Therefore, the villagers have no need to be concerned about

environmental impacts. The new construction is using the best American

state-of-the-art technologies with the lowest negative impacts to the

environment. It will provide benefits to the livelihood of the whole nation.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (3): A villager – “If disadvantages appear what will be the

solution?”

Answer: U Kan Sein (National Social Specialist, Fichtner) – “The

contractor, responsible persons and experts have repeatedly assured that it

could not happen. But if it happens, if you notice strange or unusual things,

e.g. bad smells, please inform the village authorities and the PP officers.”

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “There will be no

negative effects under the designated power plant‟s working duration. It was

worldwide accepted that natural gas emits very few amount of global

warming gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, etc. Therefore, it is

safe for the people and environment.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (4): A villager – “We are afraid of bad effects. If the power plant

causes cancer, what will you do for this?”

Answer: U Kyaw Thet (Executive Engineer, Thaton Power Plant) – “There

will be no bad effects to people. The State will not permit such projects

which produce negative effects.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (Superintending Engineer, Thaton Power Plant) –

“The new construction was done only after the approval by the state that

there will be no significant impacts to the local people.”

8 Thaton Town means only the urban area, and is composed of five wards/ quarters. Thaton

Township covers the urban area of Thaton Town and the rural areas of the Township

administrative area (which includes 49 village tracts with 197 villages).

8408P01/FICHT-18335875-v1 7-44

___________________________________________________________

Question (5): A villager (hundred-household leader) – “Like the saying that

“we cannot eat our fruits, but others are enjoying our fruits”. What can be

done for us as immediate benefit?”

Answer: U Myint Soe (National Facilitator, Fichtner) – “This project was

conducted with the view to obtain a nationwide effect. The government is

currently striving to alleviate poverty and improving the economy.

Therefore, please wait for that.”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “For the job recruitment, it will be

recommended that more priority will be given to the locals who have the

required qualification, such as young graduates, young technicians, etc. We

will make recommendations to give more chances to the local people to get

jobs. This can be defined as immediate benefits for the local people”


Question (1): A villager – “Our villages nearest to the PP have to suffer

with the air pollution; For these communities, are there any plans for taking

care of health, education and economy? Can we use the power line of Du

Yin Seik for our village electricity?”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “It is not possible to use the Du

Yin Seik power line for the village electricity. The Du Yin Seik power line

is necessary to deliver electricity to pump the water from the Du Yin Seik

River. Then the pumped water will be used to run the turbine of the PP and

produce electricity. If some fault or breakdown happens, the process will cut

down the electricity of the national grid. Therefore, it is very important not

to disturb the process of electricity production. All villagers should take care

of these regular processes and help us to be always in a proper condition.”

Answer: U Kan Sein (National Social Specialist, Fichtner) – “Please inform

when you find something unusual. One of the objectives of public

consultation is to open a communication channel between the community

and the power plant. On the issue of getting economic and social benefits

from the construction of the power plant, it is considered that one should

need a certain level of investment and technical skills. However, the social

survey conducted in September last year indicates that the majority of the

households in the village communities does not have enough resources to

benefit from increased electrical power supply. The fact is validated by a

small percentage of households who can afford to get connected to the

electricity network. What village communities could do at the moment is to

conserve and consolidate their resources in an economical way and improve

their potential to achieve their common/community goals. On the other

hand, a development agency with specific mandate for community

development (such as World Bank supported Community Driven

Development Projects) can be advocated to launch a development project in

the local communities. This will bring immediate benefits for the

communities.”

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Question (2): A villager – “Since the new project is situated near our

villages, is there any possibility to increase the electricity power in our

village?”

Answer: U Soe Lwin (SE, Thaton PP) – “The government has set up a

national plan for electrification in all areas of the country in the year 2030.

A total of about ten million households will have access to electricity within

the target time. Before this, many villages in Myanmar can access on the

base of “self-help” systems through the effort of the Village Electricity

Committees. The important fact is that the materials used (cables, poles,

bulbs, etc.) must be in good quality, in a good standard, and all users must

use the electricity systematically. Otherwise, breakdown and insufficiency

of electricity will occur very often.”

___________________________________________________________

Question (3): A villager – “What will we do if the problems/ dangers

occur? Can you open a telephone hot line and display the number and name

of contact persons in public places so that people can report the incidents

promptly to responsible persons?”

Answer: U Kan Sein (National Social Specialist, Fichtner) – “This is a good

suggestion and I had previous experiences with ADB‟s express motor road

construction project, where the hotline system was an important

arrangement. But a hotline system needs time and man power (besides

material resources such as signboards and telephone) to be maintained and

keept functional. Therefore, we need to coordinate with people and

organizations concerned and find out if this would be feasible. Meanwhile,

people can report the incidents to village authorities such as the Village

Tract Administrator, Village heads (Head of Hundred Households) and

village electrification committees, whenever you feel concerns or strange

things happen related with the new PP.”


Question (1): A villager – “As explained by all presenters, there will be no

harmful effects to the people and environment. I want to know what the

advantages are for the local people.”

Answer: U Kyaw Thet (Executive Engineer, Thaton Power Plant) – “There

are two types of advantages: direct effect and indirect effects. The indirect

effects – the existing old Thaton CCGT produced the electricity at the cost

of 200 Kyats per unit. The electricity is sold to the household at the price of

50 or 75 Kyats. Therefore, the State loses money: about 150 Kyats for each

unit of electricity used. By operating the new PP, electricity will cost only

80 Kyats per unit, reducing 120 Kyats per one unit. The State will have less

loss of money and this money can be used for other development activities,

such as hospitals, schools, roads, etc. This will be the indirect impact to the

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community of these villages. At present, out of the total household numbers

of 10.9 million, about 36% have access to electricity. According to the

National Electricity Plan, the whole country will have access in the year

2030. The State will have many more new power plants and new power

lines, consequently all sectors of economy, education, health, and etc. will

be improved with more use of electricity. The effects will also go to the

locals of these villages, and enjoy the benefits. The direct effects – with the

construction of the new power plant, job opportunities for local people will

rise. And then, because of the people from other places that move in here for

construction related work, the villagers can get benefits by selling foods and

goods.”

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