Administrative procedures hinder flood control projects

Despite great efforts taken by Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities to fight flooding, many flood-control projects have been delayed by administrative procedures.

  • Thanh Hoa Police active in helping people overcome aftermath of floods
  • Police help student in flooded areas return to school
  • Torrential rain floods many areas in Dien Bien
  • Hoa Binh Police use vehicles to transport people through flooded areas
  • Floods, landslides cause vast damage in north and central provinces

Residents of certain areas in the city have suffered from floods for decades, especially in the rainy season when roads and houses are flooded at high tide.

One of the city’s seven key economic development programmes in the 2016-2020 period, the flood combating programme has called for investment from the private sector

Investments were mobilised to build a huge pumping system on Nguyen Huu Canh street in Binh Thanh district and to combat high tides caused by climate change.

With an investment of nearly VND10 trillion (US$427.6 million), construction of the first stage of the project to combat flooding caused by high tides began in June 2016.

The project covered 570 sq.km area with a population of 6.5 million on the right bank of the Sai Gon River and the downtown area of the city. Construction was scheduled to last 36 months and end in June next year.

The investors of the project later said construction would be completed in 24 months, and said if the site had been transferred to the investors in due time, site clearance would have been completed by April.

However, on April 27 this year, the investor said construction had been suspended because the city authority had not “signed papers for the bank to provide funds” for the project. Construction was also hindered due to delays in site clearance.

The project, invested in by the Quang Trung Group, includes the huge pump on Nguyen Huu Canh street in Binh Thanh district.

But the project was suspended on August 31 due to “financial problems” facing Quang Trung Group.

According to the Quang Trung Group, the pump has been operating on Nguyen Huu Canh street for two years, but the steering board of HCM City’s flood combating programme has not set rental rates for the pump.

The company’s request to advance funds for operation of the pump has not been met, according to the Quang Trung Group.

Nguyen Tang Cuong, CEO of the Quang Trung Group, said the pump had been used on 30 occasions, helping to control floods on Nguyen Huu Canh street.

The Quang Trung Group had spent several years studying the flooding situation in the area, and had operated the pump in the last two rainy seasons. But the company had no more funds to operate the pump, Cuong added.

At a press meeting last week, Nguyen Tam Tien, CEO of Trung Nam Group, the investor of the project which aims to prevent floods from high tides, said construction of the project had stopped because funding had been suspended since April 27.

The suspension has caused losses of about VND17 billion to VND20 billion per month.

Tien said 72% of the construction of the project had been completed before suspension.

VNS/VNA

Other News

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.

Three young French volunteers embark on humanitarian journey to Vietnam

Three young French volunteers embark on humanitarian journey to Vietnam

While many French students have just completed their secondary school examinations and are preparing for their summer break, Elza Le Floch, Celeste Perotteau-Giraud and Wyatt Lelouche have embarked on a different journey. On July 15, the three members of the Scouts and Guides of France group in Menton left Nice for Xuyen Moc in Ho Chi Minh City.

Efforts to safeguard religious values in digital age

Efforts to safeguard religious values in digital age

Digital transformation is changing not only how people work and communicate but also how they practice their faith. A Buddhist sermon can now attract tens of thousands of online viewers. A Protestant believer in a remote area can join a Bible study class via smartphone. Religious activities once closely tied to places of worship are increasingly taking place in cyberspace.

Digital transformation in religion: When religious teachings spread with a single tap

Digital transformation in religion: When religious teachings spread with a single tap

As Vietnam's digital transformation continues, technology is opening new avenues for religious communities to share their teachings more quickly, more broadly and with more diverse audiences than ever before. Yet these opportunities also bring responsibilities: safeguarding the authenticity of religious teachings, cultivating a healthy and trustworthy digital environment, and equipping religious communities with the digital literacy needed to navigate the online world responsibly.

Phu Quoc tightens inland waterway safety, traffic management

Phu Quoc tightens inland waterway safety, traffic management

Operators of inland ports and terminals must carry out regular inspections, maintenance and repairs to ensure facilities remain safe and operational. They are also required to work with competent authorities and the Inland Waterway Port Authority to verify that vessels operating at ports and terminals meet all safety requirements.

Attracting high-quality talent to strategic science, technology fields

Attracting high-quality talent to strategic science, technology fields

Under the decree, students admitted to eligible programmes who meet entrance score requirements or are directly admitted, and rank among the top 30% of entrants, will be eligible for Government scholarships. The scholarships will be renewed annually based on academic performance and conduct.

Ten localities to launch housing projects for Agent Orange victims' children

Ten localities to launch housing projects for Agent Orange victims' children

The Deputy PM assigned the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the 10 provinces and cities that have yet to begin construction to urgently complete all necessary preparations and hold simultaneous ground-breaking ceremonies on July 15, for projects to build and repair homes for eligible beneficiaries.

Cao Bang accelerates DNA sampling of unidentified war martyrs

Cao Bang accelerates DNA sampling of unidentified war martyrs

The work, which began on July 9, is being carried out by military and medical personnel following strict technical procedures. The process includes exhumation, biological sample collection, sealing and preservation of samples, documentation, and digitalisation of all relevant information. Each sample is carefully verified and catalogued, while excavation sites are accurately marked.

Nearly 700 administrative procedures abolished

Nearly 700 administrative procedures abolished

By the end of May this year, localities across had implemented simplification measures for 411 administrative procedures, including abolishing 86 processes, amending or supplementing 111 and retaining 214, contributing to improved efficiency of the State administrative apparatus as well as helping citizens and businesses.