By Lor Chandara And Pin Sisovann
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Phnom Penh Municipality has given hundreds of vendors at Kbal Thnal market until Sunday to move out of their old stalls to make way for the construction of a new bridge alongside Monivong Bridge on the Bassac river.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema issued the order on Thursday.
"We want the vendors to move to a place nearby so that we can build a new bridge in order to reduce traffic jams" between Monivong Boulevard and National Route 1, he said by telephone on Friday. The name of the company selected to build the bridge has not been announced.
Construction of a new market for the vendors located in Meanchey district is nearly finished, said district Governor Kuoch Chamroeun. "The new market has a much better structure" than the current one, he said.
But some vendors are wary of renting out stalls at the privately-owned facility instead of owning their stalls as they did in Kbal Thnal market. "I heard they will give vendors temporary [space] for two years but it's too short for us," said market vendor Liv Toek. "But if everyone goes there, I will go along." he said, adding that other vendors share his concerns.
Kbal Thnal market chief Sum Buntheun said vendors are asking for 10 years rent-free instead of the two years offered. The municipality has not yet responded to their request, he said.
The vendors' first request was for compensation, which the municipality refused, he said. "Their request was too high," he added.
Based on the price of shops at other markets in Phnom Penh, the vendors requested $10,000 for shops as small as 1.2 meters by 2 meters, Sum Buntheun said.
There are 546 stalls in Kbal Thnal market and the new market will be much bigger, he said. Vendors all see the new facility as an improvement over the current market but are refusing the two-year offer they see as too temporary, Sum Buntheun added.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema issued the order on Thursday.
"We want the vendors to move to a place nearby so that we can build a new bridge in order to reduce traffic jams" between Monivong Boulevard and National Route 1, he said by telephone on Friday. The name of the company selected to build the bridge has not been announced.
Construction of a new market for the vendors located in Meanchey district is nearly finished, said district Governor Kuoch Chamroeun. "The new market has a much better structure" than the current one, he said.
But some vendors are wary of renting out stalls at the privately-owned facility instead of owning their stalls as they did in Kbal Thnal market. "I heard they will give vendors temporary [space] for two years but it's too short for us," said market vendor Liv Toek. "But if everyone goes there, I will go along." he said, adding that other vendors share his concerns.
Kbal Thnal market chief Sum Buntheun said vendors are asking for 10 years rent-free instead of the two years offered. The municipality has not yet responded to their request, he said.
The vendors' first request was for compensation, which the municipality refused, he said. "Their request was too high," he added.
Based on the price of shops at other markets in Phnom Penh, the vendors requested $10,000 for shops as small as 1.2 meters by 2 meters, Sum Buntheun said.
There are 546 stalls in Kbal Thnal market and the new market will be much bigger, he said. Vendors all see the new facility as an improvement over the current market but are refusing the two-year offer they see as too temporary, Sum Buntheun added.
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