YEB gas project draws opposition

 

A rancorous meeting between Oil India, residents, civil servants and businesses in Myeik District took place on August 5. The government and Oil India signed a memorandum of understanding for the shallow-water offshore gas project in December 2014. The production sharing contract for this block is yet to be signed. 

Chairman of Myeik fisheries federation San Maung said: “The project covers more than 8,000 square kilometres. In that area, there is more than 40 per cent of the fishing industry, which provides a major income source for our region. The fishing industry earned more than US$100 million per year. Because of this project, the fishing industry and other water resources may be harmed. There is no transparency in their dealings. They don’t say how the region will benefit. We strongly object to this project.” 

The YEB project is eight miles from the island of Mali in Palaw Township, which is the centre of the fishing industry. 

An Oil India representative said: “Myanmar has invited foreign investment. We did not start implementing the project as soon as we signed the MOU. We will first explore the environmental and socio-conomic impacts and the effect on the fishing industry. That’s why we are holding this meeting. If the residents don’t agree with this project, we will ask for another site far from the fishing industry.”