Phnom Penh [Cambodia], May 27: Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen recently denied information on social networks that he had personally set the start date for construction of the Funan-Techo canal.
"There is a false claim that I have decided to start construction of the Funan-Techo canal on June 12, 2024. This is completely untrue," Mr. Hun Sen emphasized on Facebook on May 25, according to Khmer Times. today May 27.
Mr. Hun Sen affirmed: "Deciding when to start construction is the right of Prime Minister Hun Manet."
"Only by explaining through social networks can we put out the fire immediately and not have to sit still and wait for the smoke to clear," Mr. Hun Sen said.
Cambodian government spokesman Pen Bona said on May 26 that Mr. Hun Sen has addressed various speculations related to the start of the Funan-Techo canal project, and confirmed that no changes have been made. go out.
Mr. Pen Bona also said that some of the information shared has not been confirmed by any government official, so social network users need to be very careful about receiving false information.
Previously, on January 18, Khmer Times reported that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan-Techo canal project connecting the Mekong River with the coastal Kep province in Cambodia is expected to be held this year.
According to the design, the Funan-Techo canal is 180 km long from the section of the Mekong River flowing through the Takeo area, passing through 4 provinces including Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep, with about 1.6 million people living on both banks. This canal is 100 meters wide upstream and 80 meters downstream, with a depth of 5.4 meters. The canal has 2 lanes so ships can avoid each other safely.
The Funan-Techo canal project will build 3 hydroelectric dams, 11 bridges, and a 208 km long coastal walkway. Construction of the new waterway project is estimated to require 1.7 billion USD and about 4 years to complete.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
