Need Great for 4 Rivers Restoration Project

Chmn. Kwon of the Construction Association of Korea feels the project will have a great impact on spurring regional economies and improving the environment

Chmn. Kwon Hong-sa of the Construction Association of Korea renumerates on the great importance the Four Rivers Restoration Project will have on Korea in an interview with NewsWorld.
He points to the economic effects on local economies in Korea, climate, environement and prevention of polllution of the rivers, to name just a few on the successful completion of the big project.
The CAK Chairman also spells out what the government and construction industry should do to make the project a resounding success. Following are excerpts of what he said on the project:
On the necessity of the project:
The biggest benefit of the Four Rivers Restoration Project will be the prevention of floods that caused so much damage to areas near those rivers and clear them of pollution, said Chairman Kwon Hong-sa of the Construction Association of Korea in a recent interview of NewsWorld.
Kwon said you don’t have to go far to understand the importance of the project; you can hear people talk about the crucial necessity of the project when you travel to local towns around the country.
They said the people are afraid to use the water from the rivers because they are too polluted. But what they fear the most is the shortage of water as the rivers run dry in the spring, with not even enough for drinking or cooking, showing that the quantity of water should be increased drastically around the country.
At the same, the project would prevent the loss of lives and property from floods and allow the people to enjoy comfortable lives by taking advantage of the pleasant conditions in the spaces along the rivers. The project would also create jobs to spur the growth of the economies along the rivers around the country.
The project is sure to overcome the economic slump and protect the lives and assets of the people and, thus, is considered a futuristic multi-purpose business, the chairman said.
On the economic effect of the project:
Kwon said the project will need an investment of 16.9 trillion won, but if the related business costs of 5.3 trillion won are added, the total investment would come to 22.2 trillion won. Direct investment for the project, if indirect expenses are exempted, would run to 19.4 trillion won.
These investments are projected to create 38.5 trillion won worth of economic effects in the local areas, creating 357,000 jobs, according to an analysis, with half of the economic effects occurring in the Nakdong River areas in North and South Gyeongsang Provinces.
As the project covers some 70 percent of the country, it will affect the economies of various regions in the country, contributing to the nation’s balanced development. It is especially so as those rivers flow through the central regions in the country which have been left behind in terms of economic development compared to other regions close to Seoul and other large cities such as Busan. The project would be a great opportunity to invigorate the regional economies by creating jobs and injecting funds into those areas whose economies have been lagging behind.
The project is likely to be a great help to the local regions as it will provide work to small construction firms. About 40 percent of the work making up the project will be allocated to small builders and more than 20 percent of turnkey projects, which will be worth some 7 trillion won. The residents in the areas along the river banks will be privy to various cultural and leisure facilities to be built in those areas, upgrading their quality of living.
On the conditions for the project to be successful venture:
With President Lee Myung-bak making it clear that he will give up the so called Seoul-Busan Canal project on June 29, which he vowed to pursue during the presidential campaign, the four rivers project will get a shot in the arm as the government will speed up the project now that attritional debates on the canal are over. The construction industry also will now be able to focus on the four rivers project in earnest by setting up plans including the procurement of materials.
The project is a multi-purpose one with diverse segments and it cannot be but a huge project requiring close cooperation and harmony among every party concerned including the federal and local governments and construction firms.
Each party related to the project cannot afford to persist in its demands, as it requires harmony among those concerned to be successful, Chairman Kwon warned. The CAK chairman continued on to say that local governments, too, should independently figure out what they can get out of the project and develop ideas on what they should do to maximize the benefits they can get out for their economies.
Although the project is to be completed by 2011 according to the project plan, it means major work requiring quick attention and needing immediate work will be finished by then, but there will remain minor work to be done to address such issues as the quality of water and pollution.
On a proper model for the project to be successful:
When the four rivers project is completed as targeted, it will command the world’s attention and lead to requests from around the world to share the experience, the CAK chairman said.
According to U.N. data, some 5,000 people die from drinking contaminated water every day and 1 billion people have problems related to a shortage of water. At the Davos Forum held in February, some of the speakers warned that wars can erupt over water in the future if water supply is not addressed.
Kwon said the four rivers project will be appreciated for many years to come after its completion for its contribution to improving the environment not only in Korea, but also the world.
Chairman Kwon listed a number of requests to the government to be taken care of prior to the project’s kick off for its successful completion including the addressing of various matters to clear the way for the project to start such as environmental analysis and other matters that need government approval. The reimbursement for land to be used in the project and solving various unnecessary demands made by various social organizations that could hamper the progress of the project undertaking must also be addressed.
On what the construction industry should do:
The construction firms from particular local regions that will benefit from the project should be employed to work for the project to boost economic growth in those regions, Kwon said.
Kwon also said what the construction firms engaged in the project should do. He said they should understand the project is meant to make the rivers clean and safe for the people in the country in the end, not for the construction industry. They should also know that the project is being undertaken to upgrade the quality of living for the people and build a base for the future growth of the country and they must do their best to make the project solid and beautiful at the same time when it is completed.
The cooperation between large and small construction firms is vital, especially between firms in Seoul and small cities in such areas as the exchange of information, especially among the firms working in the same areas. He will make sure that builders will have solid plans, especially on the supply and procurement of construction materials. The CAK will do its utmost to see that a new mutual survival culture is created in the construction industry during the process of the project’s undertaking and monitor them. nw

Chairman Kwon Hong-sa of the Construction Association of Korea.