The management of June Cement has said that the firm has no plans to return land to local communities and will instead press on with its project to construct a new plant in Kyaikmayaw township in the southeast of the country, reports Burma News International.

“We still need the land to construct the factory. We bought the land for the project at the beginning and received permission. So, to speak frankly, it is not possible that we will give back the land since we have to continue the project,” said company director U Myint Soe.

June Cement wants to build a 5000tpd plant in the area, despite local opposition which saw 1800 residents sign a petition against the project in July 2016.

“We are still waiting on whether they will construct their cement factory or return the land. Since we submitted the opposition letter against the project we are yet to receive a noteworthy response,” said a member of the local community.