More than 100 families have agreed to accept compensation and leave their land in Kandal province’s Takhmao town. This will facilitate the implementation of a project to dig four canals – at a length of 6,000m – that aim to reduce flooding and absorb wastewater during the rainy season.
Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn said 282 familes were affected by the project, with 172 of them retaining enough land to remain in their homes. The remaining 110 had to relocate, as their homes were directly above the planned location for the construction.
He made the remarks on March 11 at a ceremonial handover of property certificates to the 282 families. The event also served as the groundbreaking of the Prek Deum Leap pumping station in Prek Hou commune.
He added that seven of the 110 families who would lose their homes had asked to stay in the area of the canal project, and would make use of the land remaining there.
“Based on our strategy to address the impacts on those families who would lose their homes – and their agreement to move to a new location – 103 families have drawn lots for their own 90sqm plot. These new homes will be built on a total area of 1.39ha in Prek Hou commune designated by an inter-ministerial committee,” Sophorn said.
The committee had prepared the property infrastructure by spreading soil and preparing gravel paths. A 547m-long drainage ditch had been dug, and Sophorn said he was sure that the residents would live decent lives there, he said.
