7 officials need to learn from the recording of the 'kickback' demand

Ca Mau authorities determined to leave 20-30% of the total project cost to support meetings, gasoline, printing, propaganda... so the relevant officials only have to learn from experience.

The information was stated in the inspection conclusion on the implementation of projects and works in Phu Tan district recently issued by the People's Committee of Ca Mau province.

Previously, at the end of May, a Facebook account posted a recording of Phu Tan District Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Son telling the contractor that spending 20% on the Phu Tan Commune Cultural and Sports Center project was "weaker than other units". After that, the contractor was asked to "spend 30% according to the rules of the game".

The project has a total investment of about 6.5 billion VND and has completed most of the main items. After the recording related to the project was posted, the Provincial People's Committee requested an inspection of all projects implemented in Phu Tan area.

Phu Tan Commune Cultural and Sports Center Project. Photo: An Minh — Phu Tan Commune Cultural and Sports Center Project. Photo: *An Minh*

According to the conclusion of the Inspectorate of Ca Mau province, over the past 6 years (2017 to May 2023), Phu Tan has implemented 23 projects, of which 16 projects have compensation and resettlement plans. The district agreed to leave the compensation council 20-30% of the total approved costs for meetings, gasoline for members, printing, propaganda expenses, etc.

Negotiating the percentage left for the council has not been specifically regulated, but according to the inspection agency, it is "public, transparent, expressed in writing and included in the site clearance costs approved by competent authorities".

However, the inspection results of the entire project showed violations such as spending 21 million VND on gasoline for the council to go on business trips, spending 1.9 million VND on propaganda money, and spending 846 million VND on site clearance outside the project scope.

From there, the provincial inspectorate requested to draw lessons from 7 individuals, including Mr. Vo Truong Giang, former Chairman of Phu Tan District People's Committee, who was responsible for the whole situation; Tran Minh Huyen, former Vice Chairman of the district for compensating outside the scope of land clearance for a household; Nguyen Van Son, Vice Chairman of the district People's Committee for errors related to signing payment documents and archiving records.

An Minh

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