Residents of Phnom Penh’s disputed Koh Pich area remained defiant Thursday, after negotiations over how much construction company 7 N G will compensate them for their land reached an impasse Wednesday.
The villagers also said they would accept bids from other companies interested in purchasing their land at a fair price. The land is located opposite the NagaCorp casino.
“I want to suggest to the government to open their minds and allow more companies to compete with 7 N G to help the people,” Koh Pich villager An Veng said.
“If the government allows other companies to buy the land [at higher prices], it means the government is going to help its poor people,” he said.
On Friday, the Public Interest Legal Advocacy Project, an NGO representing the villagers, submitted a proposal to 7 N G, which is linked to Canadia Bank, seeking $5 per square meter for 90 percent of the land owned by the villagers—the remaining 10 percent also being included in that price.
Though a Tuesday deadline was set for a response, 7 N G asked for another day to respond before turning down the offer Wednesday.
“We are frustrated that the negotiations ended without success,” Pilap attorney Ouk Kimleng said.
Ouk Kimleng, however, said he kept the door open to 7 N G to return to the negotiation table.
“If they go back and come up with a new proposal, we will listen,” he said.
A representative from 7 N G could not be reached for comment, and Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Pa Socheatevong said he was busy and hung up the phone.
Koh Pich villagers said Thursday that they remained committed to securing fair compensation for their land, which has been valued at $24 per square meter.
“We have lost confidence in the company,” villager Khle Chanroeun said.
