Official DisputesWhen Dam Clearing Ceased
A Stung Treng province district official on Sunday contradicted claims that logging in the area designated for the Sesan 2 dam had ceased a month ago, saying that it had only stopped last week after direct orders from the government to do so. On Thursday, Ministry of Agriculture officials informed provincial authorities that the government had ordered Ang & Associates Lawyer Co. Ltd., a company owned by well-known businessman Kith Meng, to cease clearing forest for the Lower Sesan 2 dam. The order was issued to stop “anarchic deforestation” in the area being cleared for the future dam’s reservoir, according to the halt order. … Last week, Chan Ang, the personal secretary of Sok Vanna, who was contracted to carry out the land clearing on behalf of Mr. Meng’s Ang & Associates, said the land clearing had ceased about one month prior to the government order. However, Yeang Srey Sary, acting governor for Sesan district, said that clearing only stopped on Thursday, following intervention from government officials. “The company suspended the clearing in the reservoir since October 24 after they met with the provincial authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture,” she said. …
Chhorn Chansy
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/official-disputeswhen-dam-clearing-ceased-46002/
