The improvement of invisible problems.

More and more the speed of development is accelerating in Cambodia, but it is also apparent that in the present situation infrastructure development is not going to keep up. We went to ask the JICA about how the Japanese government provides assistance, the current situation, and the problems, initiatives, etc. I once again realized that the improvement of invisible problems occurs out of necessity.
For example, for water supply and sewerage systems, tap water is of drinking water quality at the time the tap water comes out of the water purification plant. But because of problems with the piping itself, the water is likely to cause a bad stomach at the time of leaving the actual household faucets. Regarding drainage in Phnom Penh city, with JICA’s assistance, wastewater treatment has been made in the form of confluence with rainwater. With respect to sewage treatment, there are a lot of problems, although provisions have been established by the Ministry of Environment, they have not yet been followed. In Cambodia sewage treatment is carried out in provincial cities such as Siem Reap and Battambang only, there is no sewage treatment plant in Phnom Penh.
Recently, the construction of commercial facilities, condominiums, and new residential areas has been actively carried out. Although it is required to provide purification equipment in the facility at the time of construction, currently such rules and penalties are unclear, so it is dependent on those contractors’ morals. However, even with a septic tank, it is typically a simple type, since the flow eventually merges with drainage ditches, and the processing capacity is not clear.
Although urban planning was begun a long time ago by France, the pace of development is too fast for infrastructure development to keep up. Now the government has started a new wave of urban planning. When swamps had been scattered across most flatlands, there were ponds in some way. But due to the development, landfill has increased and places to accumulate water have also disappeared. This would be one of the causes of flooding of the roads.
In the case of stores built recently in Boeung Keng Kang, the difference in level between parking spaces in front of the store and the road (the roadside drainage gutter) has surprisingly been leveled by asphalt, and the drainage channel has also been filled. Originally it seemed a very unlikely story, but I am amazed to see all the asphalt began to be stripped off the next day. I bet it was probably because officials of the Ministry of Land and Infrastructure or the government saw it and had it corrected. I am skeptical in my mind about the store-owner side who ordered this, as well as the contractor who received the order. On contrary, I would think they shall be liable to a heavy fine if they haven’t understood after being told. In a large company in the world, there is still salvation once you have noticed the lack of morals as a company, but personally, stores don’t bother.
Although garbage disposal maintenance still comes from Japan, in most cases I want to ask, ‘where is the enthusiasm in the first place?’ There are those who say words like a saint that Cambodia should be clean and safe, but the latter half of the story is, ‘what does the government do for us?’ Relatively large companies that come for business are guided to the garbage treatment plant, but they barely listen to the site officer because they feel uneasy about their muddy feet and the strong smell. I even think that I feel sorry for the responsible person. First, neither can do something, so we often drop our shoulders. Last month, Japanese companies and the National Personnel Authority came in droves, without any preliminary survey or study. It seemed they said downright cheap things, such as what will the Cambodian government do?’ Responsibility? Warranty? This is also a disappointing story I heard as one of a bad series. Stray from the infrastructure development, at least not only the tangible, I think the missing of the intangible parts has a significant impact. I have to say that the persons, companies, and countries mentioned above are all immature. They are embarrassing for a Japanese person as well.
Up to now, I have written as I pleased whatever I felt, seen, or had doubts about. From now on for the next stage, I will make way for the next generation little by little, so I think we can deliver our writing a different look and feel from a different sight. From now on, we also continue to devote ourselves so that you can read Phnom Penh Press Neo with pleasure.