Though the Namkham Township authorities frequently issue orders that forest and mineral products should not be illegally exported the orders have been ineffective and companies are still smuggling timber across the border according to Namhkam residents.
The most recent order, signed by U Zaw Min the administrator of Namhkam Township in Northern Shan State, was issued and sent to all government departments on 23 March. But even after the order was issued residents were still seeing charcoal and timber-loaded trucks sneaking at night from Namhkam to the Chinese port of Nong-Town in Rulli Town said U Aik Myint from Namhkam Town.
He said: “I do not know what sort of order they are issuing, it is completely ineffective. Every day about 40 to 50 charcoal and timber-loaded trucks travel freely to China at night. Though the upper level authorities have issued the order the lower level authorities just take the money [bribes from the smugglers] and let them go. Nothing has changed.”
Sai Aik Pee, a local farmer said that though there are frequent verbal and written orders forbidding the transport of mineral products mining companies are still excavating minerals.
He said: “Some mining companies are still excavating at the Pan-Khar Village mining camp. I have seen that excavated mineral stones are then transported to China, but they do not go via the downtown area. Instead, they use the mountain roads going from Nong-Sai Village in Muse to the port near Sel-Lant Village.”
Though Sai Aik Pong, the Shan State Mining Minister and U Zaw Min, the Namhkam Township administrator, have issued several orders prohibiting the illegal transportation of forest and mineral products In Namhkam Township, the orders have proved to be ineffective.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
