Cambodia: Holdouts Refuse to Leave as Gov't Readies to Test Lower Sesan II Dam

Cambodia: Holdouts Refuse to Leave as Gov't Readies to Test Lower Sesan II
Dam

Representatives of the Bunong indigenous group living in the reservoir zone
of the near-complete Lower Sesan II dam have called for a planned test of
the project to be postponed.

The dam, a joint venture between Cambodia's Royal Group and China's
HydroLancang International, is scheduled to be tested on Saturday,
reportedly flooding an area where villagers have refused to leave.

Choeun Sreymom, a Kbal Romeas community representative, called on the
authorities to give villagers one month to remove their possessions before
testing took place.

Two communities of some several hundred people, Kbal Romeas and Srekor, have
refused compensation offers and remain in the reservoir zone.

Duong Pov, Stung Treng deputy governor, said there would be no delay in the
testing process, saying the villagers had already been offered relocation
sites. "There will be a problem if they want to move to a safe place when
the water floods their area. That's their choice," he said, adding that
government aid would be provided to residents if needed.

Sreymom said that villagers would move temporarily but that it should not be
construed as an acceptance of compensation.

"The indigenous minority people have collective land, burial sites, land for
rotational farming, orchards. So when the authorities give us five hectares
per family, there will be no more collective ownership," she said.

The $800 million Lower Sesan II dam will produce up to 400 megawatts of
electricity.

Pov said that Prime Minister Hun Sen would inaugurate the project in
September and the armed forces would be guarding the dam against sabotage.

Dam Samnang, another Kbal Romeas representative, said villagers would
protect their ancestors' burial grounds. "We are also human beings. I want
to protect the identity of my indigenous minority people.

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Link to Original Article:
https://www.voacambodia.com/a/holdouts-refuse-to-leave-as-government-readies
-to-test-lower-sesan-2-dam/3944686.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com