The Japanese government has gifted the Ministry of Environment with a fleet of 12 garbage lorries and 10 tuk-tuks. This initiative, delivered via the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh on June 27, aims to enhance environmental services across 14 provinces.

The handover ceremony saw the presence of both minister Say Samal and Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno.

Ueno declared that the donation is designed to bolster the Urban Solid Waste Management Policy 2020-30 and village-commune safety protocols more efficiently and effectively. The vehicles will be allocated to local administrations and environmental officers.

“These vehicles will facilitate the clean-up, collection and transport of solid waste across 22 towns and districts in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kratie, Pursat, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Takeo, Kampong Cham, Kandal, Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear provinces,” said Samal.

On June 28, ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra explained to The Post that these vehicles will help in garbage collection both in town centres and outlying areas.

“This provision is an addition to the town and district administrations and this is technical support and an addition to sub-national administrations,” he said.

The environment ministry emphasised that these new vehicles would expedite the collection and transport of waste, ensuring reliable services. As a result, the government’s “safe village-commune” policy will see more effective implementation.

Japan has been lending support to Cambodian waste management. In July 2022, its embassy donated 15 garbage lorries to the ministry. These vehicles were distributed across various environment departments and 11 towns and districts in Kampong Chhnang, Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, Kep, Takeo, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Pursat, Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap provinces.