The fate of a newly constructed Tuol Kok district sewage system that has been designated for removal by the municipality remains uncertain, officials said last week.
City officials decided earlier this month that the drainage system was not built properly and would cause flooding. Work had begun on the drainage system in June using funds raised by the Sam Rainsy Party. The system’s aim is to help clean sewage water flowing to the Tuk La’ak II pump station.
On Tuesday, Sam Rainsy installed the last grate for the system on Street 265 off Kampuchea Krom Boulevard and celebrated its completion. But party members are not sure if the sewage system will be allowed to remain in place, Sam Rainsy Party Chief of Cabinet Phi Thach said Wednesday.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Tioulong Saumura said Tuesday the party had received contradictory information on whether the sewage system would be removed.
Tuk La’ak II commune residents had complained to the commune chief about the street flooding that took place during heavy rains, Tioulong Saumura said.
Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara said Thursday he was not sure what would happen to the sewage system. “I’m still checking on it,” he said.
Work began on June 15 and was interrupted three times by verbal warnings from city officials, Tioulong Saumura said. But without a written order from authorities telling them to stop, the workers continued, she said.
Chea Sophara has a plan for a sewage system for the whole district, according to Tioulong Saumura. But the governor has not said when he plans to implement the project, she said.
The system built by the opposition party is already working and should be allowed to remain in use at least until the city puts its new district sewage plan into operation, Tioulong Saumura said.
“If the municipality feels it has to destroy something that has been done to serve the needs of the people, that’s fine. That is their right,” she said. “It’s up to the people to judge.”
