Public still in dark on water project
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Today sees the bidding on the flood-prevention projects worth more than Bt300 billion, to be financed with loans.
Under the country’s water-resource master plan, foreign contractors will be hired to design and build all nine modules of the project.
This mega-project was conceived by the National Water Resources and Flood Policy Committee (NWFPC) in the wake of the disastrous floods of 2011, which did Bt1.4 trillion in damage and led to harsh allegations of mismanagement against the government from a discontented public.
However, the government has failed to give the people any details on how it would complete the entire flood-prevention system within five years, and what it would look like then.
The state agencies involved, particularly the NWFPC, have only told the public about the tender for the nine modules. But they have never discussed the project in detail, particularly regarding information that may enlighten the public.
For example, society and even the residents in the project areas have never been asked what kinds of projects they want to deal with the flood and drought problems.
It is understandable that certain facts about such projects should be kept confidential ahead of the bidding. But at least the public should be given the basic information that they deserve to know.
Due to this secrecy, groups are campaigning against the project and some of them have even gone to court in a bid to dam up the mega-project.
Prominent members of the government-appointed Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM), which was set up after the flood crisis to work with the NWFPC, have resigned. They are Sumet Tantivechakul, Kitja Pholpasi, Pramote Maiklad, Royol Jittadon, Seri Suparathit and Samith Thammasaroj.
An expert who had worked with the government on water-management projects, Uthen Chartpinyo, filed a complaint involving the mega-project with the Administrative Court against the NWFPC and the Prime Minister’s Office. Uthen had served as an adviser to the prime minister on water releases during the flood crisis.
A network of NGOs – including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, Foundation for Integrated Water Resources Management in Thailand, Thaiflood.com, and Network of Business, Society and Environment – submitted a written request to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Administrative Court that the mega-project to be cancelled.
Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is in charge of the NWFPC, has become the main target of attacks from the project opponents. Plodprasop, known for his outspokenness and belligerence, also has vehemently countered the critics and cranked up the tension between both sides.
The conflict and legal battle have raised a big question mark about the future of the water-management project.
A source close to the prime minister said that despite all the opposition and legal manoeuvring, the government will have to plough ahead with the project, as it is a stated government policy and the funds for the project have already been borrowed. It is unlikely that the government will abandon the project, the source said.
“Plodprasop is responsible for the project. The prime minister has often asked him about its progress,” the source said.
It appears the prime minister is fully behind this mega-project. But she will also have to brace for the consequences of the conflict resulting from the government’s failure to explain it satisfactorily to the public and to Plodprasop’s stubbornness.
