Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) leader Hun Sen has requested that when the groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Tech Canal megaproject takes place on August 5, all pagodas across the country will celebrate with drums and fireworks.
Mr Hun Sen, who is the chairman of the Senate, made the request while presiding over the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the CPP in Phnom Penh on Friday.
Mr Han Sen, CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin and party vice-presidents Che Soom, Men Sam On and Han Manet attended the ceremony at the Brumby Makara Palace event.
Prime Minister Hun Manet was smiling as Mr Hun Sen made the request.
„On August 5th, when the Funan Deko Canal construction site breaks ground, I would like to call all pagodas and other places on the evening of August 5th to drum and display fireworks. And firecrackers should be displayed to show support for the implementation of the project,” said Mr. Han Sen. said.
„This project will create opportunities for Cambodia for hundreds of thousands of years, ensuring that Cambodia has its own maritime transport route without crossing other countries,” he said.
„The canal is one of Cambodia’s largest ecosystems, contributing to mitigating climate change and greening the southwest in all seasons,” said Mr Hun Sen.
Kim Sorn, chief monk of the Phnom Penh Municipal Council and head of the secretariat of the Mohanikaya Monk Commission, said yesterday that the monk group and the Ministry of Religious Worship and Religion will issue a statement this month calling for all pagodas nationwide to be beaten. Drums signifying support for the megaproject.
“As monks, we are supporting the government’s development plan,” said Venerable Zorn, as the drumming began on August 5 at 7 or 8 p.m.
Mr Han Manet made the key announcement that the $1.7 billion project would start on August 5 this year, with most of the funding coming from local investors.
Even with a budget of more than $1 billion, the megaproject may be smaller than previous projects such as the airport, but the prime minister said it is unique because it unites Cambodians everywhere.
According to the map, the Funan Daeko Canal stretches for 180 kilometers, originating from Brek Daeko on the Mekong River, passing through Brek Da Aek and Prek Ta Hing on the Passak River to Koh Thom District, Kep Province. Its route passes through the provinces of Kandal, Daegu, Kampot and Kep, which are home to 1.6 million people.
100 meters wide upstream and 80 meters downstream, 5.4 meters deep (4.7 meters navigation depth and 0.7 meters safety margin), has two lanes for safe navigation. Additionally, the project includes three aqueducts, 11 bridges, a 208-kilometer pedestrian walkway, navigational aids and other river crossing infrastructure. It is estimated to cost $1.7 billion under a BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract.
Once completed, the canal is expected to improve agricultural activities, create jobs and reduce costs of container transport from Phnom Penh to sea.
- Tags: CPP, Funan roof canal