Work on Cambodia's mega-dam not to start until 2018: PM

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during the opening ceremony of the 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit at a hotel in Bangkok December 20, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

PHNOM PENH - Construction of a proposed 108-megawatt hydropower dam in southwestern Cambodia will not start at least until 2018, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday.

"From now until 2018, there will be no development of the dam," said Hun Sen whose five-year mandate as prime minister ends in 2018. "In my view, I want to keep it for next generation (leaders) to make decision on it."

The prime minister's comment came a day after the country deported anti-dam Spanish activist Alex Gonzalez-Davidson for overstaying his visa.

The government has refused to renew visa for Gonzalez-Davidson, co-founder of non-governmental organization Mother Nature, because he and his activists illegally blocked a road in September to prevent a government convoy from reaching the site of the proposed dam in the Areng Valley in Koh Kong province that they oppose.

Mines and Energy Secretary of State Ith Praing said in September that the proposed dam covers 9,474 hectares, and the area is inhabited by 113 species of birds, 53 species of mammals, 31 species of reptiles, and 43 species of fish.