Japan suspends financing of major bridge

The $70-million Neak Loeung Bridge on the Mekong River will not be completed in 2010 as originally scheduled. No works has started yet for the construction of this major bridge on National Road # 1 from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. Japan, which has accepted to finance the project, now refuses to make any disbursement as long as the Cambodian government is unable to reach an agreement with local residents who must be evicted. The agreement is related to financial compensation to be given to those villagers whose homes must be removed because located on the construction site. Corrupt government officials are used to evicting villagers without proper compensation, the former stealing allowances earmarked for the latter.