Regulations pending on private-sector monitoring of govt mega-projects
THE Prime Minister's Office is preparing to issue regulations regarding the appointment of private companies to assist the government's monitoring of the Bt2-trillion infrastructure mega-project to ensure its transparent implementation.
Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said the government was preparing draft state-procurement regulations for the project, whereby qualified private-sector representatives will be invited to monitor its implementation. He made the remark after meeting with representatives of the Finance and Transport ministries as well as the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT).
A project inspection committee comprising representatives from the private sector without vested interests will be established to ensure compliance with applicable budget acts, laws and regulations governing each project, as well as reference bidding prices. A similar set-up will be applied to other state projects such as the Bt350-billion water-management scheme, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said.
This set of regulations on tendering, specifications and procurement practices will also be applied to future projects to be undertaken by the state, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said.
ACT chairman Pramon Sutivong welcomed this opportunity for the private sector to participate in monitoring the bidding process and state spending in large projects of major significance to the country.
