Cardinal makes plea to stop Myitsone Dam

24 April 2019
Cardinal makes plea to stop Myitsone Dam
(File) Cardinal Charles Maung Bo speaks during the Religions for Advisory Forum On National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC) in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, 21 November 2018. Photo: Hein Htet/EPA

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has made a passionate plea to all stakeholders to stop any effort to dam the Irrawaddy River, UCANEWS reported.

In a video message marking Myanmar’s New Year on April 17, he had appealed to Myanmar and Chinese leaders not to resume the stalled Myitsone Dam project.

“We are deeply concerned and worried. There are signs that extreme pressure is being brought on our leaders to restart the Myitsone Dam,” Cardinal Bo said.

“Millions stand to lose their livelihoods. Environmental and economic catastrophes are already predicted by the scientific community.”

The US$3.8 billion project on the Irrawaddy, Myanmar's premier waterway, aims to provide hydroelectricity that would be used almost exclusively in neighbouring China.