Govt warehouse agency in trouble over suspected graft
Five private firms are thinking about suing the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) over alleged corruption related to a Bt112-billion purchase deal for surgical gloves.
The organisation reportedly closed the deal with local company, Guardian Gloves, on August 13 and the contract showed Pol Colonel Roongroj, then-acting PWO director, as the buyer.
Meanwhile, seven companies had signed a separate deal with PWO worth Bt186 billion. However, one of the firms, KK Oil and Gas Company, is accusing the government of refusing to help the private sector amid the Covid-19 outbreak and forcing them to lose revenue by blocking exports at a time when global demand for surgical gloves was 15 times higher than usual. The company also accused the authorities of corruption.
The company also suggested that PWO sign a new deal with Guardian Gloves, or there may be negative consequences leading to the private companies suing PWO.
Roonroj said the initial deal was not approved by the PWO board, adding that mistakes may have been made but there was no corruption.