Energy Bangla

Presence and Address by Gary Lye-Asia Energy’s CEO in a huge gathering favors Coalmine in Phulbari created fresh tension yesterday. Anti mine people brought out a procession after the meeting and attempt to attack on Asia Energy’s Phulbari office with throwing stones. They vandalized a car park in the roadside. Gary lye and his wife along with other officials left Phulbari to Dinajpur at afternoon as per schedule.
Source said Dhaka & Dinajpur that, Gary along with his wifeNana Lye reached Phulbari on Tuesday evening travelling by roadway transportation with an invitation by the local people who support development of the coalmine for the sake of development of total northern region. Hundreds of people welcomed them with flowers. Gary conducted several meetings at the office during the night. The people listened to what Gary was telling in those meetings with great enthusiasm.
On Wednesday morning he conducted  a  meetings with local businessmen and other distinguished citizens of Phulbari coalmine area at the Asia Energy’s core yard premise . After completing the meeting successfully, Gary came back to Phulbari head office located at Uttar Suzapur with his. While Gary with his other companions was staying at the office, a procession was organized  against the huge gathering and Gary’s presence for the mine.. The demonstrators from the procession thrown stones to Asia Energy’s office while passing by the AECB office and vandalized a vehicle placed outside of the office premise.  They attacker fled the area quickly and became dispersed, when he mine supported people came to defend the demonstrators. Though police was present in the scene but they remained inactive during the incident.
Gary Lye said when ask for the situation said, “We had productive meetings with very large community groups last night and this morning. Later in the day a small group obviously young boys were allowed to throw stones at our office and vehicles. It’s unfortunate that law and order authority  stood by and witnessed the vandalism. This in no way reflects community wishes to have development on the back of the coalmine and power generation. We respect everyone’s rights but did not see democracy and people’s rights protected by the authorities today. We will stand by the local community and work to deliver this great project so they can get the huge benefits. ”
Speaking to meetings on Wednesday at the core yard, Gary said the local people will get employed in the mine and other mine related businesses. The people will be properly resettled. None of the affected people will have to leave his area without getting rehabilitation supports. It will take three years to get first coal after initiating mine operations, and 5000 people will be directly employed in the mine. There will be enormous opportunity for the local businesses and contractors. When the mine reaches a steady state operation, it will still directly employ 3000 people and another 15000 new jobs will be created to maintain the mine. The power supply in four upazilas including Phulbari will be sufficient. Various industries including garments factories will be established. Bringing development the face of the whole region will be changed.