"PM urges Sesan dam resolution", 26 September 2017

Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered Stung Treng provincial authorities and the firms behind the Lower Sesan II hydropower dam to prepare compensation money and alternative homes for about 100 families still refusing to leave their land.

…“If money and homes were prepared for them, they have the option to take those, if they agree to leave.”

He added that developments always affect the environment and local people…but…the government and private companies must work together to compensate villagers and minimise environmental impact.

Fort Kheun…said he and other villagers will not abandon their ancestral territory.

Stung Treng provincial spokesman Men Kong said authorities had already constructed homes and put together compensation packages for the residents of 106 houses that are refusing to leave.

Under the compensation policy, he said some villagers will receive $6,000 in cash, plus land for building themselves a house on the resettlement site. Others will receive $10,000 and no land.  

Three companies are involved in the dam: Cambodia’s Royal Group owns 39 percent, China’s Hydrolancing International Energy has a 51 percent stake and Vietnam’s EVN International owns 10 percent.

When it is complete it will generate 400 megawatts of power, which will supply five provinces with electricity...ending their dependence on electricity from Laos.