KAMPONG Cham provincial governor Hun Neng has ordered the closure of four gravel and sand transportation companies for damaging roads with overloaded lorries, local officials said.

The four companies closed on Friday, according to Thuch That, Kampong Cham town mayor. He said they had damaged roads and spread debris along the Mekong River. “This road was repaired last year and it is now again in crisis,” Thuch That said.

Three of the four companies have also been ordered to pay for damage to the road, he said.

Sixty-five year old Seng Poun, the owner of one of the companies, said he would not pay the full cost of repairs, as the lorries were only partially responsible for the damage.