KnIC
The Burmese government's new foreign minister and his Japanese counterpart discussed the re-construction of the Lawpita Hydro-power plant in Karenni State under the Oversea Development Assistance program during the foreign minister's visit to Japan, according to the Japanese foreign ministry spokesperson.

The agreement was made between the Burmese foreign minister, U Thu Wunna Maung Lwin, and the Japanese foreign minister, Mr. Koichiro Gemba, in the second week of October when the Burmese foreign minister visited Japan.

Despite the ministers' agreement, local people fear that it would cause further impacts to their lands and livelihoods. Over 12,000 villagers were forcibly relocated by authorities during the construction of the Lawpita hydropower plant when the project began five decades ago, and many locals' rice fields along the Beelu River were inundated in recent months as a result of water drainage from the Moebye dam when the level of water reached its critical point. These problems are the result of people being forced to relocate on their own without support from the government.

"If they repair the plant, more troops will move in and the restricted area will expand. Landmines will also be planted. They care more about the Japanese engineers than the factories. Once they arrive it will be more difficult for local people to travel from one place to another," argued a local resident.

Lawpita Hydro power station was the first to be built as part of the Japanese war compensation to Burma in early 1960. It has served as a major electric power source for Burma's main cities and government-owned industries for decades. However, local Karenni residents are left in the dark as the exploitation of their resources continues.