The chairman of the Cambodian Water Supply Association (CWA), Leng Khieu, has asked the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation to take measures against companies that have disrupted and broken underground clean water pipes.
It wants them forced to take responsibility for the damages caused as a result of their activities.
Khieu made his request to Minister Cham Prasidh at a CWA grant provision meeting. He also urged members to contribute to the prevention and spread of Covid-19.
“Please take accountability for digging up the ground and breaking the underground clean water pipes,” he said.
Khieu called for access to funding or loans to develop the clean water sector and the reduction or exemption of taxes for it.
He suggested an acceleration of licensing in the clean water sector and the establishment of a clean water fund to sponsor the service as well as to expand it to providers in rural areas.
Prasidh called these suggestions important points that should be paid attention to. However, he said the ministry has been addressing some issues step by step already. “We will continue to work hard to achieve positive results and better work efficiency,” the minister said.
Khieu said his request to the ministry to get the companies to take responsibility for digging and breaking underground clean water pipes came about after many clean water supply companies in Phnom Penh and the provinces requested the CWA to intervene in the issue.
“Because when the road and pipeline construction companies dig and break the underground clean water pipes, they never take responsibility.
“We also requested to inform the water supply companies in the regions that the road repair companies have to repair the roads and they should prepare in advance to avoid digging and breaking the clean water supply network.
“We also want compensation if the road repair companies dig the roads and cause damage to the underground clean water pipelines. If they dig and break the underground pipelines, it will affect water supply to the people and result in thousands of dollars in losses,” he said.
In response to the government’s call to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the CWSA had initiated a voluntary fund-raising effort within its framework that lasted from March 28 until April 13.
As a result, it received a lot of support from members contributing their own money, totalling $6,415.
The ministry confirmed that the CWA has complied with the ministry’s instructions by working on creating videos for its members on hygiene practices.
This, Khieu said, would strengthen the management of quality and safe clean water supply as required by the people in their target regions in line with national standards.
