Victoria Bournazyan, EcoLur
“Our rights have been violated and we have been forced a price not having anything common with market prices,” said Vardan Vardanyan, Shnogh Village resident during the event held by Vallex Group.
On 14 November Vallex Group held a number of events in Teghout, such as tree planting, a visit to historical-cultural monuments, a number of speeches by Vallex Group representatives, and the discussion of “Teghout: Children’s Bread” Film.
The discussions were participated by students and lecturers of a number of Yerevan higher educational institutions, residents of Teghout and Shnogh Communities, the Aarhus Center in Alaverdi, “EcoLur” Informational NGO, Teghout Support Group, NGO representatives and journalists.
The film “Teghout: Children’s Bread” shot by Director Tigran Paskevishyan broached the main issues in regard to the Teghout deposit development: villagers’ complaints and damages caused to nature.
According to Vahram Avagyan, Assistant to the President of Vallex Group, the film isn’t impartial. According to Hrachya Papikyan, “The company was blamed for seizing land areas from villagers and not drawing up contracts.”
In reply Ruben Papoyan, Director of “Teghout” CJSC, said the company has concluded contracts with 345 households and has acquired land areas.
When asked about the prices for land areas, R. Papoyan answered, “From 70 to 100 AMD from 1 square meter. I don’t know what the prices for land areas are, which is a topic for intrigues for many people. Actually, as a resident of this region, I’m sorry that my garden has such a price.”
Shnogh Village resident Vardan Vardanyan gave his own explanations, “In the countries with market economy the first right to be protected is the owner’s right. Today we have an owner, an exception, who has a dominant right over other owners,” said V. Vardanyan, “Any exception is a violation of a right, and here we don’t have equal rights. How was the market price determined, if it is lower than the cadastre value by 7 or 8 times?”
When V. Vardanyan was offered to select a larger land area than his own instead, he said “I’m not dissatisfied with my land area.”
Vardan Vardanyan also pointed out that land evaluation was carried by Oliver Group in accordance with the company’s order, and all other similar companies are afraid of evaluating villagers’ land areas. “All other evaluators are afraid to come, as all the evaluators coordinate their actions with Oliver Group. They are the most outstanding evaluators, and no one wants to contradict them,” said V. Vardanyan.
“At school and university we are taught to be faithful to our ancient history and our origin. Now this person wants to be faithful to his origin, as his parents have cultivated this land, they have lived here. And why do you want them to refuse from this land?” asked one of the students the company representative.
V. Avagyan said in reply that the company acts on the basis of community (public) benefit.
This statement was opposed by Vardan Hovhannisyan, the representative of Teghout Support Group: “How can you speak about community benefit, if we have collected 5000 signatures against the implementation of Teghout project for one week?”
When asked the question, whether the company has any plans so as not to leave the villagers unemployed after the mine development. Avagyan answered that tourism will be developed both in Teghout and Drnbon.
Larisa Paremousyan, President of “Anahit” Women’s Union NGO pointed out: “In the whole Tumanyan Region there are two tailings in Mghart, 3 tailings in Akhtala, at least two tailings must be here, another tailing is next to Madan: You have made Tumanyan Region a country of tailings. How are you going to develop tourism here?”
December 01, 2009