About 50 Phnom Penh residents gathered On Sunday to rally against a planned road on Chroy Changva peninsula that will run alongside a massive $3 billion development project.
The 12-meter-wide road will be located just 100 meters behind National Road 6A. Municipal authorities insist the road is meant to alleviate traffic, but residents say they believe the road is strictly for the sake of the 387-hectare satellite city being constructed by the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC).
On Sunday, affected families, as well as those who have suffered from other OCIC projects, gathered on Chroy Changva holding signs demanding either a cessation of the road project or adequate compensation. Residents say they have been offered just $15 per square meter for land that they believe is worth $400.
Uy Phary, 50, said On Sunday she had lived on her land since the fall of the Khmer Rouge and found the offer deeply unsatisfactory.
“How can we live with such small compensation? If we accept something as small as that, how can we buy new land?” she said.
“The authorities told us they want a new road to ease the traffic jams, but I don’t think it’s like that. I think National Road 6A never gets traffic jams, but the reason is the authorities want the land for the company.”
Touch Samnang, OCIC project manager, could not be reached for comment. But Chroy Changva district governor Khlaing Huot insisted the road is a public project.
“We are not working for the benefit of any person or company, and we cannot let 10 residents or so come to disturb our affairs,” he said.
“I think it is not seriously affecting to the residents because they have long land along the road. I think they will get more benefits because in front of their house and behind their house there will be roads.”
