PM appeals for the end of lax standards

While offering no concrete solutions to the issue, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday appealed for graduating engineers to be aware of generally lax building standards that could have a long-term impact on public safety.

Speaking at the graduation of students from the National Institute of Technology, Hun Sen said the graduates would be assured of jobs, because Cambodia is experiencing a construction boom.

“However, the buildings are constructed, please ensure the construction is of a high quality. Don’t mess around. It is very dangerous; if not today, 20 years on it will be,” he said. “The houses will collapse”.

Much of Cambodia’s infrastructure was redeveloped after the civil war, and international building standards have not been universally applied.

Experts say the complete lack of a national set of standards has left workers unprotected and a failure to reform could have serious consequences.

Read more at: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/pm-appeals-end-lax-standards