Locals reject resumption of fish cracker factory operations in Kyauk Phyu

By Khaing Min (Kyauk Phyu) 25 Dec 2019

Khaing Min (Kyauk Phyu) | DMG
December 25, Kyauk Phyu

Officials from a fish cracker factory near Kin Pinlei Nar village in Kyauk Phyu Township have vowed to make technical alterations so that nearby residents suffer fewer harmful effects from its operations.

Locals have complained to authorities that the Kin Myauk factory runs on coal and is emitting a foul odor. The operations threaten their health and the environment, they contend.

Factory officials met some residents on December 23 to discuss the issue for the first time and promised that they would address their concerns.

“It is true that they are suffering from the factory. That’s why we will fix everything we need to, such as how we can stop the bad odor and make a higher chimney,” said U Ye Soe, an official from the factory, adding that the factory would create job opportunities for local residents.

But the most ardent opponents say they will not accept the factory’s continued operation under any circumstances.

“I would like to say that there is no way to accept running the factory,” said Ko Than Lwin from Kin Myauk village.

During the meeting, locals discussed the difficulties they are facing as a result of the factory, including their health concerns and its usage of coal.

During an inspection tour of the factory on August 1, Arakan State parliamentarians and authorities learned that the factory would run on coal. They instructed factory management to use a different fuel source.

Locals submitted a petition to authorities after the factory began operations two months ago and began emitting a foul odor that residents say is harmful to their health.

Minister U Kyaw Lwin, a member of the Arakan State government, explained during a Hluttaw meeting held on September 23 that the factory isn’t registered with the Kyauk Phyu District Industry Management Department and hasn’t received a permit from the state government.

U Ye Soe, a factory official, said operators were trying to get a permit from the government.

“The public said to shut down the factory because it is built without having a permit. We are trying to get licenses within the framework set by the state government,” he said.

U Kyaw Lwin said during a Hluttaw meeting that the government would not allow anything that might damage the environment.

The cracker factory is sited near 10 villages in Kyauk Phyu Township.