Villagers pin big hopes on little dam

In the past four years, families in Anlong Chrey village, in Kampong Speu provinces’s Thpong district, have watched a small multipurpose dam being built at their back doors. For village chief Soung Pao, 59, who gave up two hectares for the dam – one of three built as part of the Krang Ponley Water Resources Development Project – construction occurred in what literally used to be his backyard. ... More than fours year on, the villagers, the majority of whom are farmers, are now receiving clean, free-flowing water that has helped double their output. ... Funded by grants and loans through the Korean government’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund and built by Korean company KUMHO E&C, the $27 million Krang Ponley dams replaced outdated and unclean dams built in the Krang Ponley River basin during the Khmer Rouge era. ... “We can boost our farming productivity and boost our profits by using this water and electricity here,” [village chief Soung Pao] said. ... Exactly when that will happen is unclear. Although the 1,200 households promised electricity remained in waiting this week, Seth Soth, 48, a councillor from nearby Prambei Mom commune, said the project had been supplying tycoon Ly Yong Phat’s sugar plantation with power for the past six months. ...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013031361911/National/villagers-pin-big-hopes-on-little-dam.html