The groundbreaking for the second part of the $1.2 billion Funan Techo Canal occurred on Saturday whereas communities affected by the primary part in Kien Svay, Kandal province stay at midnight about compensation.
Initially valued at $1.7 billion, the 180 kilometer canal venture is now estimated at $1.17 billion. It will join the river to the ocean, from Kandal to Kep province, utilizing present waterways in Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep.
The primary part of the canal measuring 26 kilometers, which begins from the tributary of the Mekong River in Kien Svay District, Kandal Province, was inaugurated on August 5, 2024. The second part, measuring 151 kilometers, begins at a tributary of the Bassac River and extends from Prek Ta Hing in Koh Thom District, Kandal Province, to Kep Province.
With the groundbreaking for the second part full, there’s neither clear info relating to compensation nor building work on the primary part to this point, in accordance with Dim Mech, a businessman who has lived alongside the deliberate canal route for the reason that late Nineties.
“I do know that there’s a groundbreaking [ceremony] at this time, however there’s nonetheless nothing right here [in Prek Takeo],” he mentioned.
In the course of the ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Manet known as for understanding from affected households, stating that the federal government would handle the problem of compensation.
“Thanks to the residents who’ve supported us, and we ask for the understanding of those that could also be affected,” he mentioned. “The crew will work exhausting to resolve this appropriately,” he remarked.
The canal’s success relies on public participation, he mentioned, including that the venture has been fastidiously studied to reduce impacts on native communities.
The canal venture goals to strengthen livelihoods and enhance the nationwide economic system by enabling unbiased transportation of products from inland waterways to the ocean. It’s anticipated to create new alternatives in logistics and different industrial sectors.
On the occasion, Solar Chanthol, First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Improvement of Cambodia (CDC), mentioned vital progress has been made on the primary part, together with the completion of venture map demarcation and verification, and marking of 155 land boundaries. He added that the compensation course of is ongoing, with a price range of almost $71 million put aside.
The federal government has taken steps to scale back the venture’s influence, with complete compensation price for each sections amounting to $217 million.
The venture is scheduled for completion in 2028 with 51% of the full funding borne by Cambodian shareholders and 49% by a Chinese language funding firm.
Yong Kim Eng, government director of the Folks’s Heart for Improvement and Peace, advised CamboJA Information that the event plans ought to adequately handle the impacts on affected communities, particularly to properties and land.
“Improvement can proceed alongside compensation, but it surely have to be completed in accordance with correct ideas with honest compensation,” he mentioned.
Kim Eng talked about that the method shouldn’t create dissatisfaction between the communities within the first and second part of the venture. Each sections must be dealt with accordingly.
He additionally famous that the federal government goals to enhance individuals’s livelihoods, expressing hope that these affected by the canal would obtain honest compensation.
