Phulbari coal mine: Body demands proper scrutiny of project
By Syful Islam
Mon, 5 Dec 2005, 10:51:00
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The committee formed to apprise the feasibility study report of the Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pvt Ltd on Phulbari coalmine project in its first meeting has recommend the government to co-opt a mining engineer, financial analyst, and a legal advisor with a view to ensuring appropriate scrutiny.
"Members believe that the committee lacks suitable experts to evaluate the high profile project linked with greater interest of the nation," said a member of the committee seeking anonymity.
The committee headed by Prof Nurul Islam also sought explanation from the Department of Environment (DoE) on how they gave the environmental clearance certificate within a short time of 45 days on a big project as general people suffer several years to get such clearance.
"Who will be responsible if any environmental hazard occurs due to your hasty assessment," committee members asked DoE director Manzurul Huq. The committee also asked DoE to stage a brief presentation in the next meeting in this regard.
Meeting sources said the committee also directed SMEC, a company of Asia Energy, to make elaborate presentation of their documents on how they ensure that there will be no extra pollution.
The committee, in the next meeting will also ask the SMEC on the exact number of affected people as some committee members believes that the number of affected people will be around one lakh.
Sources further said the committee in the next meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday next will also ask the SMEC officials for detailed presentation on impact of their activities on both the ground and surface water management.
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