Vientiane Times –Oct 23
The government cabinet has told an ad hoc committee to remain focussed and to make progress in determining the root cause of the collapse of a dam in southern Laos in July which left dozens of people dead.
The cabinet issued the instruction at its monthly meeting for October, which ended on Friday.
Outlining its main work for November, the cabinet asked the committee, which was established in August to carry out an investigation into the July 23 accident, to conduct the enquiry in a transparent manner so that its findings were acceptable both domestically and internationally.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has stated many times that the government would conduct the investigation in a transparent manner, aiming to identify the precise cause of the collapse of an auxiliary dam at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project in Attapeu province.
International experts and observers were invited to get involved in the investigation.
Since the enquiry began, the public has not been notified of any significant progress or findings. Despite the government’s pledge of a transparent and acceptable investigation, some outsiders have expressed concern over the degree of transparency and accountability of the enquiry and its results.
These concerns have underlined the need for the government to ensure the quality of the proceedings and that the findings are acceptable, so that those responsible for the fatal accident shoulder full responsibility and provide adequate compensation to the victims.
The collapse of the dam, which is being built by two companies from the Republic of Korea and one each from Thailand and Laos, killed 43 people including six who were injured and died in hospital. Some 28 people are still missing and thousands have been left homeless.
The cabinet also told another ad hoc committee, which was formed to inspect safety standards at all hydropower dams under construction as well as those that are operational, to accelerate its work.
The Sanamxay dam disaster has alerted the government about the need to examine the safety standards applied to the construction of all dams in Laos.
While the inspections are taking place, the government has ordered the suspension of the consideration of new proposals to survey and invest in hydropower projects. This will give it time to review safety standards as well as its hydropower development strategy and plans for the future. However, those projects for which a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed can go ahead as long as it can be shown that they meet safety standards.
‘http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Govt.php
