On the afternoon of October 27, the National Assembly (NA) discussed in its group a draft Resolution on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies on investment in the construction of road traffic projects; implementation of the compensation, support and resettlement project at Long Thanh airport (according to Resolution 53/2017/QH14 of the National Assembly).
Policy is general, not “ask-give”
Regarding the content of the draft Resolution piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies on investment in construction of road traffic works, discussed in the group, delegate Nguyen Phi Thuong, Director of the Department of Transport. Hanoi City, citing the fact that the implementation of ring road 4 in the capital region has many problems. In particular, many documents must consult ministries and branches. Faced with that situation, Hanoi City leaders met and decided that the City would proactively remove problems and not ask for opinions anymore.
“Because if you ask, you will stop the project. All it takes is for ministries and branches to answer one question “according to the law” and have to redo the process of asking for National Assembly opinions from the beginning. Like that, we don’t know when it will be finished” – DB Thuong said. He also said that the policies in the pilot resolution are necessary at this time, but it is necessary to update the actual situation to thoroughly resolve practical problems.
According to Mr. Thuong, in fact there are problems in making payments by the State to investors in investment projects in the form of public-private partnerships (PPP). Specifically, investors must spend loan capital and equity capital for construction and will only be paid when the state agency signs to confirm project completion before disbursement.
“This reduces the attractiveness, making it difficult for investors to participate in the project. It is recommended to disburse money according to project progress, not wait until it is completed before paying investors” – Mr. Thuong said.
National Assembly delegates also proposed removing all appendices, which are lists of projects attached to the five pilot policies, to ensure consistency in the law and avoid the formation of a mechanism.
“let”. Typically, Delegate Dinh Tien Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, said: “I think that key transportation projects that have been approved by the National Assembly and meet specific criteria and principles will automatically receive benefits.” this policy. Since the policy must be common, otherwise in the future, other projects that want to apply this mechanism will have to apply.”
Sharing the same opinion, National Assembly Delegate Truong Trong Nghia (HCMC) asked: “Why are these projects on the list and who is responsible for this list? Now if the National Assembly agrees to pass a special resolution attached to this list, the National Assembly cannot be responsible for this list.
According to Mr. Nghia, it is necessary to immediately survey projects “with similar needs” to stipulate some general principles and criteria. The National Assembly assigned full authority to the Prime Minister to approve, decide and take responsibility for the approved list. In the future, key transportation projects invested in the form of PPP will automatically apply this mechanism, no longer having to apply.
The delegate said that if the Long Thanh airport project policy is approved, the Government must provide specific solutions to complete the project according to the set timeline.
Progress at Long Thanh airport has been three years slow
Discussing in the group, National Assembly Delegate Ta Thi Yen (Dien Bien) was worried that the progress of the Long Thanh airport project was very slow and faced many difficulties and problems. “I very much share with the Government when the project implementation falls during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a delay of up to three years is a very alarming thing” – Ms. Yen said.
Ms. Yen said that the Government proposed to extend the implementation time of the compensation, support and resettlement project until 2024, which is only one more year. However, the report shows that the site clearance work has many unfinished contents. Therefore, according to Ms. Yen, if the project policy is approved, the Government must provide specific solutions to complete the project according to the set timeline.
In addition, Yen Delta also noted that priority must be given to resolving the rights of people in the project, avoiding the occurrence of mass complaints. “It is recommended that local authorities and investors work specifically with each family. From there, listen, persuade, and thoroughly resolve the rights of the people, considering it as the business of your family, brothers, and relatives” – Ms. Yen emphasized.
With the same content, Delegate Do Duc Hien (Ho Chi Minh City) commented that extending the time for site clearance for the Long Thanh airport project until 2024 will certainly affect the overall implementation roadmap for phase 1.
“If adjusting the project implementation time without adjusting the implementation time to complete and put into operation phase 1, will the progress of phase 1 be guaranteed? We have not seen any evaluation and adjustment from the Government” – Mr. Hien said.
Clarifying this content further, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang affirmed that the overall progress of the Long Thanh airport project is under control. “With the responsibility of being the Minister of Transport to manage the industry, state management and be very close to the project, if the overall project is delayed, it will not exceed one year” – Mr. Thang said.
Mr. Thang affirmed that the extension of the implementation of the compensation, support and resettlement project at Long Thanh airport would not greatly affect the overall progress of the project. “The Government and Ministry of Transport are drastically directing contractors to speed up the maximum progress and strive to exceed the schedule” – Mr. Thang affirmed.•
Ensure completion of Long Thanh airport by 2025
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang informed that up to now, the entire construction area of Long Thanh airport phase 1 project has been fully handed over.
The difficult part of the project is that the station has selected a contractor and is implementing it according to schedule. Other component projects also follow the station project, ensuring progress. In case the project speeds up and exceeds six months, it will still ensure completion by 2025.
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