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Minutes of the Meeting with the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy
held on 15 January 2004 from 15:00pm-17.00pm at the Industry, Mines and
Energy Office, Phnom Penh
a. Subject
Maddox Jolie Project (MJP)
and Dam for Hydro-Electricity station construction plan of Chilbo
Industry Company are overlapping in Samlaut.
b. Participants (See table of names at bottom)
- Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy Officials
- CVD Representatives and Maddox Jolie Project Manager
- Director of chilbo Industry Company
- Director of Department of Nature Conservation and Protection (DNCP)
- Samlaut District Governor
- Other related Officials
c. Chairperson
H.E. Su Sem, the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy
d. Essence of the Meeting
- His Excellency the Minister started with a welcome note to the participants
who attended the meeting. 'The main purpose of today’s meeting is not to
seek for reasons from CVD or Chilbo Company of why the plan was overlapping,
but to identify alternative solutions, if any. What I really wanted to reach
out of this meeting is that everyone can continue implementing their activities
and be satisfied with the win-win strategy (no one loses) for all parties', he
said. He therefore asked each party, CVD and Chilbo, to present their individual
future vision whether or not to suspend their project operation within the
prospected dam construction site.
- Chilbo: Chilbo Director explained the process of a study on (1)- pre-feasible
study, which is now completed (2)- the company would be continuing to measure
the rain fall data and carry out the geographical survey at the location where
CVD installs its project office and building. Unfortunately, CVD staff did not
permit the Chilbo Company staff to enter the area to carry out the aforesaid
activities. He added that if his plan had to be given up, there would be another
company that takes over in the future.
- CVD: Reflecting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CVD and the Royal
Government and Donor funding agreement signatories, CVD could not make a decision
on its own whether or not to suspend its project operation. Furthermore, this
project was fund form private donor mounted to million of US dollars to support
the wildlife, eco-system and watershed value of the Samlaut MUA in this area.
- The Project had gone beyond the studies, and it is now in an implementing stage.
Most of the activities are already happening throughout the Samlaut and Pailin area.
i.e. community support activities, environmental education, demarcation and ranger
patrol etc.
- CVD highlighted that the Hydro-electrical prohram and especially the dam construction
in this area will directly affect the social welfare of the people of Samlaut, mainly
those who live near and in the 3 communes that had just started to settle down after
decades of war.
- NGOs, including CVD have been working hard in terms of supporting community development
and social service and believe that they have made incredible positive impact on
Samlaut's residents' living standard. If Chilbo were to start implementing their plan
of the electrical dam construction, it would completely destroy all existing social and
physical structures within newly established community. The destruction will go beyond
their properties i.e. farming land, housing and their production etc. because of
flooding from the dam.
- CVD's director also pointed out to the participants that under his responsibility, CVD
seeks funding for any individual project from the donor and the main stakeholders for
those particular projects, therefore, if there is any change in the project directions,
strategy and implementation plan, CVD must consult and receive a legal approval from
them. At this stage, especially the Maddox Jolie Project (MJP), CVD cannot give the
participants of the meeting any definite decision regarding suspending any activities
of this project.
You may be aware that CVD had been recognized by the Royal Cambodian Government to
undertake appropriate activities for their project under an existing MoU which was
signed with the Ministry of Environment on 7th August 2003 and a separate funding
agreement with its donors. If there were issues to be discussed, I would suggest
bringing it up to the two Ministries to finalize and there should be representatives
of CVD and the donors as well.
- DNCP: DNCP expressed that the Ministry of Environment was not aware of the plan for
this dam construction and the overlapping. "I realized that the Ministry of Industry,
Mine and Energy and the Ministry of Environment had not made a good enough communication
channel between the two ministries," said the DNCP. The Director of DNCP therefore added
that everybody has to be aware that Samlaut MUA area should be allowed. He expressed that
the dam is just a pre-feasible study phase and if it is identified to have negative impact
on the environment and the well being of the population's livelihood, then such plan
should be terminated. Finally he suggested that there are two other locations (1st and
2nd priorities which were identified by Chilbo and MIME) with higher production capacity
and they are much more suitable to construct the dam for hydropower. Particularly at those
two places it has no negative impact on the life of people and less environmental affect.
It should also be noted that the area where Chilbo is considering now in under the third
priority.
- Samlaut District Governor: "I am in the name of the Samlaut people; I have been working
for my community for 5-6 years and have been trying hard to protect his area to keep it
as an evergreen spot for our community.
I would like to express my thank to both parties, CVD & Chilbo Company, who are interested
in helping my people. I agree with His Excellency the Minister for his win-win strategy.
You know - there is still big worry for the people who will lose their future and
properties that they have gained for many years. Recently, my people came to me to seek
clarification concerning this hydroelectricity dam construction and were very worried
about this issue.
For both parties' benefit, I would suggested that CVD should continue its plan of
environmental conservation while Chilbo should consider constructing a dam on another
location that was already identified (Battambang I or Battambang II). If such a solution
can be reached, my people will be very happy. This option serves to the win-win strategy
of His Excellence the Minister, as CVD will win, and so does the Chilbo Company."
Click to enlarge
e. Conclusion
The meeting went on to identify other possible alternative solutions, but the
time was not enough for the discussion. H.E the Minister suggested both parties
CVD and Chilbo Company should hold a separate meeting to discuss their plan in
detail and draft any identify findings of solution in writing, then submit them
to the Ministry office. CVD and Chilbo agreed in principle to have a separate
bi-lateral meeting on the 29 of January 2004 at the same venue.
His Excellency the Minister suggested that we should have another meeting like
today and would talk more when everyone is ready.
The meeting ended at 05:00pm.
List of participants:
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Name of Participant
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Function
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Institution
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H.E. Suy Sem
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Minister
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MIME
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Dr.Bun Narith
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Director of Dept.
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MIME
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Mr. Meng Santithira
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General Secretary
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MIME
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Mr. Tem Chuneth
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Vice Gen. Secretary
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BTB Province
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Mr. Hen Sophal
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District Governor
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Samlaut
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Mr. Oeur Phan
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Vice MIME Dept.
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BTB Province
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Mr. Ros Viseth
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MIME Officer
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BTB Province
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Mr. Mounh Sarath
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Executive Director
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CVD
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Mr. Chai Samith
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Director DNCP
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MoE
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Mr. Voaan Sam El
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MJP Project Manager
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CVD
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Mr. Janghi LEE
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Director
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SungJin Co.;Ltd
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Mr. Sok Saroun
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General Manager
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SungJin Co.;Ltd
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Mr. Kyoo Suk CHO
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Senior Vice President
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Chilbo Industrial
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Mr. Noh MAK Park
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President
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Chilbo Industrial
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Minutes taken by:
Mr.Voan Sam El
MJP Project Manager
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