Siem Reap provincial governor Tea Seiha speaks at the March 29 press conference. Heng Chivoan
Siem Reap governor Tea Seiha said that in the past five years, the province has registered a total of 48,476 land titles.
He presented the figures at a press conference on the provincial administration’s achievements of the past five years,” held at the Council of Ministers on March 29.
Since the beginning of 2004, the provincial administration has registered 152,291 plots of land in 167 villages and issued 81,644 title deeds in 87 villages. More than 70,000 plots remain unregistered due to ongoing disputes over the demarcation of Zone I and II by the Tonle Sap Lake Authority.
“In addition, a provincial working group has provided ID Poor cards, food and construction materials to a total of 9,695 households who agreed to relocate from the Angkor Archaeological Park to the Run Ta Ek and Peak Sneng development areas,” he noted.
Seiha also said an orientation team had worked with the army to disassemble and move 2,047 homes. The provincial administration is working to provide infrastructure, roads, clean water, and electricity to the two development areas.
“In Run Ta Ek, we have built 40 to 50 per cent of the roads and markets. Pagodas and schools will be completed soon. So far, nearly 2,000 homes have been completed. Electricity and clean water are now available, and telephone systems have been installed. Previously, no such services were available in the area,” he added.
“Prime Minister Hun Sen offered many suggestions for the areas controlled by the Tonle Sap Lake Authority, and a working group from the provincial administration collected population statistics and assessed the requirements of the fishermen and farmers who depend on or live in Zones II and III,” he continued.
He said the data had been compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction and Cadastral Affairs on March 29. He was unable to confirm the precise number of families that the administration had requested be granted land, but said it was significant.
“We have only just completed our assessment, but are awaiting a decision from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara. He will check our request and make a recommendation to the prime minister, who will make the final decision,” he said.
“The province has also registered land to 150 households in Kamprom village of Banteay Srei district’s Khun Ream commune for the purpose of social land concessions. A total of 75 households received social land and housing concessions. Some families were granted land in order to make way for the construction of infrastructure like roads and canals,” he said.
