Sub-district council members have accused the Nongprue Engineering Department of “unprofessional” budgeting after submitting funding requests padded by half and not finishing the jobs once the cash has been allocated.
Somchai Chimwiset of the sub-district’s Area 1, dismissed the department’s claim that it must always request a bit more than the actual cost estimate to cover possible overages. He said adding 50 percent to the cost of the project is irresponsible and wasteful.
Exacerbating the problem is that funded projects, such as the disastrous Soi Siam Country Club roadwork, have yet to be completed.
Department officials blamed contractors for cost overruns and work delays. They also blamed community leaders, saying their demands related to roadworks and other projects also inflate cost estimates.
Mayor Mai Chaiyanit told the department to stop ducking responsibility. In the end, if budgets are being padded and work left unfinished, it will be department leaders that will face the repercussions.
He said all infrastructure projects will now be monitored closely and if any changes are made to their plans, the projects will be halted immediately and reevaluated.
