NACC to probe suspected corruption in buying of solar-powered lamp posts
The National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) is looking into the budget disbursement for procurement of decorative solar-powered lamp posts in several provinces for possible corruption, NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said on Sunday.
The move came after Samut Prakan residents approached the NACC and called for an investigation into budget disbursement by Rachathewa Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Bang Phli district. The organisation reportedly has spent an unusually high amount of money on the street lamp posts designed like a Kinnari, a half-bird, half-woman Buddhist mythological creature, and equipped with a solar power panel.
It is reported that the Rachathewa subdistrict has paid THB642.6 million for 6,773 posts, at THB94,884 apiece. The project listed Bangkok Road Lighting Co Ltd as the sole contractor.
The residents also urged the commission to look into discrepancies in contract details and actual installation. It is reported that the posts have been installed 10-14 metres apart, while the contract specified that each post must be 20-25 metres apart.
“It has come to light that several other provinces have spent their budget on decorative light posts in a similar manner, so the commission will look into the issue thoroughly for possible corruption by local administrators,” said Worawit.