Vientiane residents irked over proposed road fund

A large number of Vientiane residents are concerned about a proposed road fund to which they would be required to contribute, the Vientiane People’s Council heard on Friday. Addressing other members of the Council, Mr Prachit Xayavong said We admit there are concerns about the transparent administration of this fund. The draft of an article on the creation of the road fund and a survey carried out by the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department are unclear. He said there had been complaints from members of the public to the Vientiane People’s Council, expressing concerns about transparency and the extra burden the fund would place on families. Most people in Vientiane may not be able to pay the required contribution because they are government officials, including soldiers and police, and earn low salaries. Mr Prachit pointed out that while Vientiane’s Gross Domestic Product was high, the cost of living was increasing and ordinary families were feeling the strain.

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