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Samak takes charge of mega-projects
MEGA PROJECTS
Samak takes charge
PM says he does not want delays; 5 panels formed to speed up work
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday announced he would assume control of the management of the country's mega-infrastructure projects to speed up the work.
Five panels chaired by the PM would be appointed to oversee the management of the mega projects that involve the medical system, the railways, the mass transit systems, the waterworks, and the economic system.
Speaking during his daily television and radio programme "Talking Samak Style", the premier said he would directly take charge of the projects so that ministers who oversee them don't work alone and progress could be speeded up.
Samak will today issue policies for high-ranking officials of all government agencies after the government declared national policies before the House last week.
Samak also defended Science Minister Wuthipong Chaisang over his proposal
to get farmers to grow eucalyptus as a way to raise productivity on their farms.
He said the new breed of eucalyptus has proven to be helpful in increasing rice farming because its roots can expand into the fields, providing natural fertilisers for the crop.
Democrat Party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon urged the government to use concrete measures to quickly tackle rising consumer prices.
Samak said in his programme that he would have deputy prime ministers and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan check to see why prices of vegetables have risen by almost 100 per cent.
He pointed that the price of pork had risen 20 per cent because of supply shortages.
He vowed to tackle the problem fairly.
Responding to complaints over high food prices at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samak dismissed the charge saying he found prices to be at the same level as those of other international airports.
A public opinion survey by Dusit Poll found more than 71 per cent of 1,976 respondents gave the thumps up to the programme "Talking Samak Style" because they like his manner and the topics he chose.
The reason why 45 per cent of respondents gave for missing his shows was because they did not know when they were broadcast.
As for others who missed his shows, 22 per cent said they were too busy while 19 per cent said they dislike him.
Economic problems such as inflation and the high oil price topped the 10 topics, respondents most wanted Samak to cover in his shows.
Twenty-one per cent considered those topics to be very important.
Twelve per cent wanted to know how he plans to develop the country.
Eleven per cent wanted to know how he would curb corruption.
Ten per cent wanted to know how he would stop violence in the South.
The Nation
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