Anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters gather at police-erected iron wall in Gumati

12:43, 06.06.2021

Anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters have gathered on Sunday at a police-erected iron wall in Gumati village, the southern entry to the Rioni River valley where the HPP is set to be constructed.

They plan to meet supporters at 7 pm today, make noise again, and announce protest forms and plans.

Protest leader Varlam Goletiani said they would block the ENKA office in Kutaisi on Monday and once again urge the company to leave the Rioni Gorge.

Currently, protesters have blocked six entrances to the Rioni Gorge, barring ENKA equipment to move, Goletiani added.

The protests against the HPP construction have been underway in western Georgia for almost six months.

The Georgian government suspended the HPP construction for 9 to 12 months until the environmental, geological, and seismological surveys are reviewed. Nevertheless, local protesters plan to continue rallies. They believe the HPP would be constructed anyway, which they oppose.

Enka Renewables was awarded the right to develop, build, own and operate the Namakhvani Hydropower project in 2017.

By - Marika Kartozia

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Anti-Namakhvani HPP protest

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