Three drainage systems under study

Yen Jing, deputy director of the IBUCG. KT/Chor Sokunthea

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to have it carry out a feasibility study for sewage and drainage systems in three major cities.

The study could lead the ministry to contract International Beijing Urban Construction Group to rework sewage and drainage systems in the cities of Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Takhmao.

Public Works Minister Sun Chanthol said the ministry is studying the viability of the projects, but stopped short at disclosing funding details.

“We know the MoU is for the company to study the plan, but we do not know how much this is going to cost,” he said. “We need the company to finish the study first.”

He said that there are many tourists in those cities, which prompted the initiative to begin the study for new infrastructure projects.

“Those provinces have many tourists, so we need to prepare sewage and drainage systems,” Mr Chanthol said. “When we are finished studying the projects, then we will find a budget for them.”

Yan Cheng, deputy director of International Beijing Urban Construction Group, said that the company is grateful for the ministry’s support and confidence in his company to study the projects.

“Due to the country’s economic development, infrastructure must also be developed. The company will do its best so that the outcome is of high quality,” Mr Yan said.

He added that his company has been building sewage systems for the past 35 years.​The Asian Development Bank has provided funds for six projects costing a total of $44 million, including infrastructure restructuring for Poipet, Battambang and Bavet.

In January, the Public Works and Transportation Ministry signed a $9 million deal with International Beijing Urban Construction Group to build a drainage system in Battambang city, which falls under the ADB funding.

According to a press release from the ministry issued in January, the first step of the drainage system propject in Battambang will cover 15 kilometres and cost $9 million.

Khmer Times
Sen David