"Government to study Mekong and Bassac river sand dredging", 10 May 2019

The Council of Ministers has instructed the Water Resources Ministry to proceed with a request made by Try Pheap Engineering & Construction to conduct a study on the viability of a sand dredging operation along the banks of the Mekong and Bassac rivers.

In a directive ..., Chrea Sokchenda, secretary of state of the Council of Ministers, said the company offered to restore and build an embankment in exchange for a sand dredging operation...

Try Pheap Engineering & Construction earlier made a request to Prime Minister Hun Sen to sanction the study. The study was approved by Mr Hun Sen ..., despite opposition by NGOs.

San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, yesterday said sand dredging is an issue that affects villagers and the environment.

“Sand dredging will have environmental impacts and affect villagers when banks collapse,” Mr Chey said. “In my opinion, it is not necessary to do it now and the government should find other means.”

..., Global Witness issued a report calling on the United States to impose sanctions against four Cambodian tycoons for their alleged roles in the demise of democracy and for human rights abuses...

Yous Moniroth, spokesman for the Mines and Energy Ministry, ... said the Water Resources Ministry is reviewing the request, and will conduct a study on the impacts before the project can be approved.

Neth Pheaktra, spokesman for the Environment Ministry, ... said the government will only consider an operation license for Try Pheap Engineering & Construction after feedback from the ministries...