Governor names new district

via CAAI

Friday, 11 February 2011 15:02 Chhay Channyda

Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema has proposed that a planned new district – the city’s ninth – be named Pormeanchey district, though the move is yet to be officially approved by the Ministry of Interior, officials said.

Dangkor deputy district governor Seng Kun said the announcement was made during a meeting in the district on Wednesday.

According to Kep Chuktema, Pormeanchey district will be formed from eight communes from Dangkor district and five from Kandal Stung district in Kandal province in line with a plan first mooted by City Hall in December.

“The municipality has suggested the name to the Ministry of Interior, but there is no official approval yet,” Seng Kun said.

Leng Vy, director general of the Interior Ministry’s General Department of Local Administration, said yesterday that the municipality had not yet requested the creation of a new district and that no date is set for a meeting on the issue.

Dangkor district expanded in size from 15 to 26 communes in December, when 11 communes from Kandal’s Kandal Stung and Ang Snuol districts were incorporated into Phnom Penh.

Chea Nyta, deputy governor of Dangkor district, said in December that the creation of a new district was necessary to facilitate administration of the area.

“Higher leaders have prepared to split our district into two districts because it is now too wide to govern,” she said in early December.

During an expansion of the area carried out in September, a total of 20 communes were cut from Kandal province and incorporated into four of the capital’s districts: Dangkor, Russey Keo, Meanchey and Sen Sok.

In addition to the 11 communes incorporated into Dangkor district, two communes were also added to Russey Keo, four communes were added to Meanchey and three communes were added to Sen Sok.

Chea Nyta said in December that municipal authorities were studying the specifics of the proposed division, and that it would require careful consideration and additional financial support from the government.