ADB may back disputed dam
The Asian Development Bank is considering providing funds to a controversial 400 megawatt dam project in Laos that could have adverse impacts on the Mekong River in downstream Cambodia. Conservation group International Rivers wants the Lao government to pull the plug on the $1 billion Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam because the firms developing it have not publicly released impact assessments and a resettlement plan, in violation of the country’s laws. Christine Genalin Uy, an investment specialist at the ADB’s private sector operations department, said yesterday the bank was considering a funding request for the project on the proviso that these requirements were met. …
