Locals demand compensation for pipeline construction in southern Georgia

Arminfo, Yerevan
6 Aug 04

AKHALKALAKI

Residents from the area of the goods station in the town of
Akhaltsikhe Georgia are demanding compensation from the BP management
for the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The A-Info news agency has learnt that about 600 residents of the
district think that construction of the oil pipeline creates many
problems for them. The residents are complaining about continual
noise, as the road along which the pipes are transported goes through
this area. Moreover, a large piece of land, which used to be used for
pasture, is now used for the pipes. The district’s residents said that
the water-supply system had been damaged by workers, so the district’s
residents were without drinking water for a long time. After the
restoration of the water system public health norms have not been
observed. Especially the district’s residents are indignant that,
when they had no drinking water, the workers used only ”Bakhmaro”.

According to the source, the BP representatives refused to pay damages
to the residents. However, the district’s residents intend to appeal
to the prime minister and the president of the republic or go to
court.