Background
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is the central government agency charged with coordinating design, operation and maintenance of national drainage and flood-control systems across Cambodia. Operational and maintenance programs for public drainage systems are commonly delivered as phased projects financed through the national state budget and implemented jointly by MPWT and provincial public works and transport departments.
Phased operations-and-maintenance projects establish governance arrangements that assign technical oversight to the national directorate while delegating day-to-day implementation to provincial management units and contracted engineering firms. The structure typically integrates project directors, deputy managers and local public works offices to align technical works with provincial infrastructure priorities.
Key Developments
On 15 June 2026, MPWT held a kick-off meeting to start implementation of the operational-phase project for drainage system operation and maintenance under the state-budget framework. The meeting was led by the Director-General of the General Directorate responsible for drainage systems and project management, and included a representative from T.C.M. Engineering Company LTD.
Provincial representatives from five target provinces attended: Kampong Thom, Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang and Kampot. The meeting brought together the project director, deputy project managers, members of project management units and provincial public works and transport department delegates to review roles and next steps for field implementation.
Institutional Role
MPWT will provide national-level oversight and technical guidance for the project while provincial public works and transport departments will coordinate local implementation and maintenance activities. Private engineering contractors will be engaged to carry out field works under the operational-phase scope agreed between MPWT and provincial authorities.
Operational Implications
The project aims to improve the sustainability, operational efficiency and maintenance quality of Cambodia’s drainage systems by establishing phased work plans and clear management responsibilities at national and provincial levels. Implementation across the five provinces is expected to standardize maintenance practices and streamline coordination between MPWT, provincial offices and contracted firms.
Official Source
Source: MPWT Facebook post, 15 June 2026 — MPWT Facebook.
