(October 17, 2002) As concern mounts about pollution in the future Three Gorges reservoir, Chongqing appears to be considering the idea of abandoning the Yangtze River altogether as a source of drinking water. Officials are studying the feasibility of drawing cleaner supplies from smaller rivers in the vicinity, such as the Qi, Wubu and Hou, the Chongqing Morning Post (Chongqing chenbao) reported Oct. 10.
Changing river flows disrupt fisherfolk’s culture
(October 16, 2002) For 7 years fishermen have noticed the Mekong’s unnatural flow, shortly after the first dam upstream in China started operations. In China’s Yunnan province, a cascade of eight dams has been planned since the 1980s.
Vietnam to build hydroelectricity plant
(December 12, 2002) Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) is drafting a plan to build a 260-megawatt hydroelectricity plant on the Ba Ha River in the central province of Phu Yen.
Lesotho Highlands: More scandal
(October 12, 2002) A Lesotho prosecutor asked the Lesotho High Court on Friday to impose the maximum fine on Canadian engineering company Acres International, which was found guilty of bribery.
Bribery case could cost Acres plenty
(October 12, 2002) Oakville-based engineering firm Acres International Ltd. may face a fine of up to $4 million after being convicted of bribery by a foreign government.
Press Update: Lesotho corruption trial sentencing
(October 11, 2002) Arguments were heard this week in Lesotho’s High Court during the sentencing trial of Acres International.
PRESS RELEASE: Canadian multinational convicted in Africa: Judgment in corruption trial handed down
(October 9, 2002) The Judgment in Rex v Acres International, the first in the world’s most important international corruption trials, was handed down today in the tiny south African Kingdom of Lesotho. The written decision is now available on-line.
Protests halt vital wastewater-treatment project in Chongqing
Work on a wastewater-treatment system that must be finished before the Three Gorges reservoir is filled next year has been halted because of angry protests by citizens demanding higher compensation, the Chongqing Morning Post reports.
Laos signs $2-bn deal for Nam Theun II dam
(October 4, 2002) Government of Laos signed a concession agreement with developer, Nam Theun 2 Power Company, for its controversial Nam Theun 2 dam. [The dam’s developers are now in their eighth year of trying to work out a deal with Thailand and the World Bank.]
Senate to probe waste plant allegations
(October 4, 2002) A Senate committee will investigate a list of alleged irregularities in connection with the construction of the Klong Dan waste-treatment plant after a former engineer on the project lodged a petition to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Abacha Loot Deal: A Global Shame
(October 1, 2002) The incidence of looting public money and stashing it in western financial institutions is a global problem and developing/developed countries as well as international organizations are at loss on how to stem or control the phenomenon.
Corruption corrodes Development Banks
(October 1, 2002) Scandal rages around alleged bribery in Lesotho, where the World Bank is financing Africa’s largest water project.
Canadian engineering multinational to be sentenced today in world’s largest corruption case
(October 1, 2002) Canadian engineering multinational Acres International is expected to be sentenced today in Lesotho’s High Court.
Canadian Acres caught in Lesotho bribing scandal
(October 1, 2002) In an unprecedented case, a Canadian engineering company has suffered the humiliation of being the first multinational to be fined for bribing its way into a World Bank-funded dam project in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Giant Congo hydroelectric project is a ‘betrayal’
(September 30, 2002) The heart of darkness could soon be lighting up Africa. There are plans to build the world’s largest hydroelectric project on the Congo river and connect it to a continent-wide electricity grid.
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