PHNOM PENH: The First Deputy Chairman of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), Senior Minister Ly Thuch, presided over the signing ceremony of a demining contract in Tboung Khmum province between the Mine Authority and the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC) at the Mine Authority office on Monday, 11 July.

Senior Minister Ly Thuch stated that the signing of the contract was approved by the Prime Minister on 9 July 2022, which signaled the beginning of the first phase of demining work under the Prime Minister’s Mine Action Project, with the theme "Provide Safe Land, Create Smiles," to declare Tboung Khmum as a mine-free province within six months. After this contract is signed, the NPMEC will start clearing mines in the province on 15 July.

The Senior Minister added, "After the Technical Working Group of the Mine Authority and the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces jointly inspected and evaluated the situation of minefields in Tboung Khmum province using the method of Ground Data Verification, 3,984,219 square meters of land will be cleared in Tboung Khmum.”

He added that the Mine Authority needs a total budget of $764,302 dollars to end the presence of mines in the province. This includes the cost of pre-screening, quality control and the full demining work.

The Senior Minister further stated that in addition to demining work in Tboung Khmum province, the Mine Authority is also working with the Army to inspect and assess the condition of minefields in Oudong and Thpong districts of Kampong Speu province, which is scheduled to start operations soon.