Cabinet to consider tasking the Ministry of Transport with a new development project to relieve flood waters in the Southern provinces.

BANGKOK, 4 April 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban will ask the Cabinet to consider tasking the Ministry of Transport with a new development project to relieve flood waters in the Southern provinces.

In his attempt to help flood stricken residents, he will propose for a budget allocation which will be used in reconstructing bridges to provide access for commuters in the event of heavy flooding while more bridges are also expected to be built in the near future.

More budget allocations for restoring electricity and tap water systems will also be proposed for consideration in the Cabinet today. Due to damages and inaccessible roads, people have been without clean water and electricity for many days.

Apart from several measures mentioned, the Deputy Prime Minister will propose to the Cabinet to approve a rehabilitation program for inundated farmlands to help rubber and palm tree growers recoup their profits as soon as the rainy season begins.

Regarding streets and roads that were built over the natural waterways, Mr. Suthep said the new development would be probable as every sector is now getting involved in the flood prevention scheme.

He also dismissed the claims that Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Satit Wonghnongtaey had been slow in allocating money to help flood victims, saying that there were enough relief packages for people affected by floods, contrary to what the rumors might have projected to the public.