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. May 24.
Varlam Goletiani, the leader of Rioni Gorge Defender’s civic movement said that if the government fails to make a decision, they will ‘entirely paralyse the city'.
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, Agenda.ge reported.
The Namakhvani HPP Cascade Project entails the construction of two hydroelectric power plants on the Rioni river in Georgia’s Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities. However, locals and activists patrolling the site for several months say the construction is illegal and against the will of the local population.
