Natia Turnava: “Today we launched a process – For Better Namakhvani”
31-03-2021

“We have started a process today, which can be conditionally called “for better Namakhvani”. We have agreed with the investor company that the dam will not be built until the basic studies have been verified. Although we, together with the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, believe that the research is quite reliable, has been going on for many years and has been carried out by qualified experts, perfection is always possible. Even if it is for better addressing the safety questions and build wider trust around the project. We have involved the public including the experts, the academics, the civil society, who have the competence and willingness to be engaged both in research verification and in further direct construction oversight. And this is really important,” – wet Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, stated after the meeting with the representatives of the expert and the scientific circles, where the involvement of the experts in the re-examination of the research related to the Namakhvani HPP project was discussed.

Natia Turnava and the Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili agreed with the industry experts representing such sectors as energy, ecology, seismology, hydrology and geology that the interested experts will discuss the study of the Namakhni HPP project for another two months. “If they identify any risk, a fault, or wish that any component of the research could be strengthened, we will gather in the same format, listen to their recommendations, work out solutions, and present them to the company. This is a guarantee that the project will be completely safe. In addition, information about the safety of this project will be widely available to the public and this is the correct process,” – Natia Turnava commented.

The Minister noted that if the public, including experts, is of the opinion that the project has certain risks that have not been ruled out, but may be ruled out as a result of further proper research, the Government is obliged to respond consequently.

According to the Minister, at this stage, the construction permit has been issued for the preparatory works, which include the construction of a construction camp on the site and the regulation of various types of road infrastructure.

“These works do not include construction of the dam. However, as for the rest of the infrastructure, its preparatory work should be continued. Practically, the works have not stopped, the company is on the ground, the equipment is there, and the workers are there. We would also like to remind you that a rather large section of the 28-kilometer road will be repaired or rebuilt by the company and handed over to the state free of charge. There are no risks here and our experts can see that well. The main concerns were about the dam and the reservoir, and we have enough time to listen to the recommendations and give correction instructions to the company, and on this basis, a permit has already been issued for a specific buildings,” – Natia Turnava explained.


Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. © 2021