Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh works with the World Bank delegation

The WB delegation was led by Mr. Dang Duc Cuong - Project Manager. Attending the meeting were leaders of departments, branches and Vinh city.

Complete site clearance phase 1 of the project in 2025

The Priority Infrastructure and Urban Development Project adapting to climate change in Vinh City, Nghe An Province was signed by the World Bank and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Agreement No. 9582-VN dated August 2, 2024 and the President approved the Loan Agreement in Decision No. 1306/QD-CTN dated November 28, 2024.

Effective from December 2, 2024 and ending on December 2, 2030, the project has 4 components, including: Component 1: Investment in drainage, active environmental sanitation and connectivity; Component 2: Expanding storage capacity to reduce urban flooding; Component 3: Upgrading and renovating Vinh River; Component 4: System development and capacity building), divided into 2 phases.

The total investment is 194.5 million USD (equivalent to 4,502 billion VND), of which WB loan is 129.6 million USD (equivalent to 3,000 billion VND), domestic counterpart capital (arranged by Vinh City People's Committee) is 64.9 million USD (equivalent to 1,502 billion VND).

Currently, the construction drawings of the phase 1 packages have been appraised by the Ministry of Construction (Cao Xuan Huy road, Hung Hoa 2 regulating lake, the canal connecting Hung Hoa 1 regulating lake (existing) to Hung Hoa 2 regulating lake, Hoi Chua pumping station), the Le Mao extended road item has basically completed the basic design; basically ensuring the conditions for implementing the next steps before organizing the selection of construction contractors.

The packages of phase 2 have had their basic designs appraised by the Ministry of Construction; the selection of a consulting unit for construction drawing design is underway.

The City People's Committee has directed units to complete site clearance for 6 phase 1 packages in 2025; at the same time, arrange a capital plan of 300 billion VND to carry out compensation and support site clearance for the project and can adjust to increase to meet the counterpart capital demand in 2025.

Before working with the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, the WB delegation spent 2 days directly surveying and working with the Vinh City People's Committee to assess the project implementation process.

Mr. Dang Duc Cuong - Project Manager congratulated Nghe An province and Vinh city on having this very important project approved by the WB; at the same time, discussed some related contents, especially the WB's technical support on bidding procedures, financial management, environment, site clearance... to meet the requirements according to WB standards.

The WB delegation also discussed some project implementation milestones, especially the bidding time for phase 1 packages of the project to meet the implementation schedule.

Leaders of relevant departments such as Natural Resources and Environment and Finance discussed their views on implementing compensation and resettlement policies.

Smooth coordination between sponsors and local authorities

Speaking at the meeting, comrade Le Hong Vinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee assessed that the overall progress of the project basically met the requirements.

In the coming time, to implement the project on schedule, emphasizing the need for smooth coordination between the sponsor and the local government, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Vinh City People's Committee to coordinate with relevant departments and branches to establish a general schedule of the project so that both sides can monitor, direct and urge in a timely manner.

In addition, based on the analysis of difficulties that may arise, especially the progress of site clearance, the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee requested Vinh city to direct relevant agencies and units to focus on implementing tasks to ensure progress, especially agreeing on the rate of support for assets and architectural objects for affected subjects.

Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh thanked the WB delegation for their attention and support to Vinh province and city; hoped that the delegation would continue to support and coordinate during the implementation process; and at the same time continue to advise the province on accessing WB capital sources to implement other projects on urban infrastructure and environment.