Rescue workers search for victims in the debris after an under-construction building collapsed in Sihanoukville on Saturday. At least 19 people have died due to the Chinese-owned building’s collapse. SUN RETHY KUN/AFP
Cambodia's booming property sector is facing more scrutiny after the collapse of a Chinese-owned seven-storey building early on Saturday in Sihanoukville that left 28 dead and 26 injured.
On Sunday, the government established a committee to inspect construction in Preah Sihanouk province, which will review technical standards, legal instruments, construction standards, safety standards and construction quality in the province.
The committee also has the right to inspect the qualifications of contractors at any construction site, as well as inspect the condition of completed buildings.
Property insiders expect that the committee will work to improve construction quality and more effectively enforce the law to develop the sector, which is essential to the economy’s growth.
Unregulated construction
Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia president Sok Kin told The Post that he applauds the creation of the committee, as there are currently a lot of unregulated construction sites in the province.
He said that armed with the experience from the province, the government should also establish equivalent committees in every city and town in the Kingdom.
“I think that it not only helps to heighten the quality of construction and law enforcement, but it also offers a lot of benefits for the workers who are now working in the construction sector,” he said.
However, Kin expressed his dissatisfaction with the composition of the committee.
“In order for the committee to progress effectively, it would be better to have the participation of civil society organisations and unions,” he said.
He added that though authorities are technical experts and understand legal issues, the private sector and civil society have a greater understanding of construction workers’ situations.
Cambodia Constructors Association secretary and general manager Chiv Sivpheng said there are buildings – whether completed or under construction – that do not comply with the law.
“As a representative of the private sector, I am confident that the government will not allow illegal construction to occur again,” he said.
Khmer Foundation Appraisals Co Ltd president and CEO Noun Rithy said the construction sector in the province is progressing quickly, making it more difficult for experts and stakeholders to supervise the projects.
He said reinforcing the quality of construction through inspection is crucial.
“The establishment of the committee can be seen as part of an alert to local authorities not to be neglectful anymore.”
The construction sector in Cambodia has grown exponentially in recent years.
According to data from the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, in the first four months of this year, investment capital in the Kingdom’s construction sector amounted to $2.742 billion, an increase of 67.37 per cent over the same period last year.
In Preah Sihanouk province alone, construction investment capital in the first five months of this year was worth $582 million.
The province saw 59 projects approved by national authorities, 22 approved by sub-national authorities and 105 approved by town or district authorities.
For five straight years, from 2013 to 2017, China was Cambodia’s largest foreign direct investor with investment capital of $5.3 billion – about $1 billion annually – according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
