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Uma Oya Project sees some light at the end of the tunnel
Two expert reports on the controversial Uma Oya Multipurpose Project have recommended steps to mitigate negative impacts that could arise in the future while also putting forward solutions to the current problems, Environment Ministry secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said.
One report was by a 120-member expert committee that comprised officers from the Central Environment Authority (CEA), the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), and academics from the University of Peradeniya, while the CEA submitted its own report as well.
A dried up well
“The project’s contractors have done a lot of damage by not adhering to the environment plan, we accept that,” Mr. Rupasinghe said, however adding that the project was still feasible.
He said separate feasibility studies were conducted even during President Premadasa’s time. The report by the feasibility team, led by Mr. Rupasinhe himself was evaluated and endorsed by foreign expert bodies.
“There is nothing wrong with the project, similar issues cropped up when other water projects like the Victoria project was underway,” he said.
The implementation of the recommendations mainly lie with the contractor FARAB Energy and Water Project Company, an Iranian company that was awarded the contract to design and build the Uma Oya project with loan funding from the Iranian Government.
While recommending that an Environment Monitoring Plan be drawn up, the committees have also mooted the idea of establishing community level committees to ensure that the people are kept well informed.
However concerns remain about the ability of the authorities to continue supplying water to communities affected in Bandarawela due to the project. Currently the Divisional secretary’s office distributes 180,000 litres of water to affected areas daily, Mr. Rupasinghe said.
“Bandarawela is an area where water is a scarce resource anyway. So I am concerned about the ability to provide short term relief measures, such as water distribution that are being carried out now. I have called a meeting on Monday to discuss this. We will have to carefully evaluate the situation so as not to further inconvenience the people,” Uva Province Chief Minister Harin Fernando told the Sunday Times.
Work on the the Uma Oya Project that had progressed about 47%, was temporarily halted in mid February this year due to problems faced by people. With the drilling of the tunnel beginning in 2014, the wells in the Grama Niladhari divisions of Bandarawela and Ella had started to dry up .
President Maithripala Sirisena has also appointed a five member cabinet subcommittee to make recommendations on the Uma Oya Project, while Rs. 300 million has been allocated to provide relief to the affected people.
The subcommittee which is to meet next week includes, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka, Internal transport Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara, State Minister of Housing and Samurdhi, Dilan Perera and Uva Province Chief Minister Harin Fernando. Mr Rupasinghe, has been appointed as the secretary to the committee. The report will be submitted to President Sirisena and the Cabinet.
The Cabinet has also approved a proposal to pay compensation to the affected people.
“The immediate need is to seal the leak which drains out the water resources in the area. The company involved in the construction is now working on this,” Mr. Rupasinghe said.
Funds amounting to US $11 million have already been allocated for this purpose.
Meanwhile the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau and the Government Valuation Department have been commissioned to carry out a damage assessment to pay compensation on affected property that includes over 600 houses. The Cabinet this week also approved Rs. 55 million to implement a permanent water supply project for the affected people.
Regarding mitigating steps in the future, the expert committees have suggested that more tests should be carried out before further drilling is done.