9 February 2021

Survivors of a Laos’ worst-ever dam collapse more than two years ago are still waiting in temporary shelters because of serious setbacks in the construction of their new homes, local government officials told RFA.

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In May 2020, the Vanseng Construction and Development Co. won a contract to build 700 houses, on a bid of U.S. $24.5 million. Under the deal signed with Attapeu’s Public Works and Transport Department, Vanseng has until Dec. 2021 to finish the houses, but appears nowhere near on track to meet that deadline.

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A subcontractor for the project told RFA that the delays are due to zoning and private land ownership issues.

“Not all the land there belongs to the government. Parts of it are privately owned so it’s not so easy to just come to an agreement. This is why the construction of the 103 homes in Camp 4’s Pindong village has not yet begun, and possibly won’t begin until next year,” the subcontractor said.

A representative of Vanseng Construction told RFA that most of the homes would be completed on schedule.

“We promised the deputy Prime Minister, who visited the construction sites in November last year that we would complete 440 homes by April this year, around the Lao New Year, and we will complete 56 more by the end of the year,” said Vanseng Sisongkham.

“As for the remaining 204 homes, we have to wait for the land which is owned by some private individuals,” he said.

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