Siem reap Province

PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Monday implored Siem Reap Governor Sou Phirin to curtail road-construction projects he said were obstructing waterways and causing flooding in the provincial capital.

“The flooding in Siem Reap is mostly caused by these blocked waterways,” he said during remarks at the inauguration of a 150-kilometre stretch of road running from Siem Reap to Banteay Meanchey’s Poipet town.

“In Siem Reap, Typhoon Ketsana is over, but the water is stuck because there is no way for it to flow out.”

He said hotel owners were among those implementing road projects that had adversely affected the flow of water.

“For roads in front of hotels, the hotels should pay to fix the problem,” he said. “And in front of schools, the state should fix it. Can you do that, Mr Sou Phirin?”

Sou Phirin could not be reached for comment, but provincial Deputy Governor Bun Tharith said he agreed with the premier’s remarks.

He said provincial officials would meet Thursday to discuss the effects on particular waterways and possible solutions. He said he could not identify what those solutions might be.