Cintri defends fee irregularities to Anti-Corruption Unit
The company responsible for collecting Phnom Penh’s trash has defended its erratic pricing structure in response to an inquiry from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), which says that numerous complaints have been filed by small business owners. The ACU sent a letter to Cintri (Cambodia) Ltd. on March 14 saying that many local business owners are upset that shops in the same area, selling the same products, are paying different fees for the company to pick up their trash. … The ACU recommends that Cintri create a public communications portal where residents can easily file complaints in order to eliminate such irregularities. In its response to the ACU, in a letter dated March 20, Cintri admits that businesses in the same location and category are being charged different fees for trash collection. However, Cintri argues that the situation has been unavoidable due to stingy customers who refuse to pay set prices for trash collection, and insist on bargaining down the fee. … Facing a rapidly expanding population in the capital—from about 1.2 million in 2000 to about 2.2 million today—the company has struggled to fulfill its obligation to keep the city’s streets clean. In October, Phnom Penh governor Pa Socheatvong warned Cintri that it needed to do a better job keeping trash off the streets or it would have its contract canceled. … Seng Savy, Cintri’s chairman, said Tuesday that if the company does not allow customers to pay a reduced price, it risks receiving nothing at all. …
Khuon Narim
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cintri-defends-fee-irregularities-to-anti-corruption-unit-56153/
