Plantations Destroyed by Ye-Tavoy Motor Road Reconstruction, Company and Authorities Show Little Regard

August 6, 2014

As reconstruction continues for the extension and straightening of the Ye-Tavoy motor road in Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Region, plantations lying along the motor road have been destroyed. Despite their actions, company and construction groups involved in the project refuse to accept responsibility in solving the problem, or provide compensation to affected land owners.

In 2014, an unidentified company began reconstruction of the Ye-Tavoy motor road, and in doing so destroyed plantations lying along the road. Each plantation affected on each side of the road lost about one acre of land and three lines of rubber plants.

According to Nai Thet Tin, 45, a victim from Alaesakhan Village, Yebyu Township, “My planation was affected by the road construction. It destroyed my three lines of rubber plantation, which is equivalent to 1.23 acres of land. Only when the rubber plants [were] 8 years old, they plowed the land and extended the road. When we asked people who plowed the soil, they said it was the order from [the] company, but the company said it was the construction group when we asked the company manager. So, who should I ask for compensation?”

“It is good that the government planned to extend the highway road in order to get a smooth transportation. But [the] bad thing is that there is still no commitment and communication with respect from authorities. For instance, whichever group comes, they ignore local people after getting permission from government to work for community development. They should know that the public are the citizens of this country. They should explain and discuss with local people regarding the facts of construction. But now, they did not discuss and inform local people, so how could they know which group destroyed their plantation. Moreover, whether it’s government or private, there is no survey from them whatever they do. If there is no survey, it seems they are [this] doing randomly. So, it will impact local people” said Kya Khat Taw Village, Yebyu Township resident Ko Bay Aye.

Approximately 500 acres of land in 20 villages located along the road were affected by the road construction. Neither company nor authorities have attempted to solve the problem for the local people.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News