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

The World Bank delegation was led by Mr. Dang Duc Cuong, Project Manager. Leaders from various departments, agencies, and the city of Vinh attended the meeting.

Complete land clearance for phase 1 of the project in 2025.

The Vinh City Climate Change Adaptation Infrastructure and Urban Development Priority Project in 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 loan agreement was ratified by the President of Vietnam in Decision No. 1306/QD-CTN dated November 28, 2024.

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

The total investment is US$194.5 million (equivalent to VND 4,502 billion), of which US$129.6 million (equivalent to VND 3,000 billion) is a World Bank loan, and US$64.9 million (equivalent to VND 1,502 billion) is domestic counterpart funding (provided by the Vinh City People's Committee).

Currently, the Ministry of Construction is appraising the construction drawings for the Phase 1 packages (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 basic design for the extended Le Mao road has been largely completed; essentially meeting the conditions for proceeding with the next steps before selecting a construction contractor.

The bidding packages for phase 2 have had their basic designs appraised by the Ministry of Construction; the selection of a consulting firm for the construction drawings is currently underway.

The City People's Committee has directed relevant units to complete land clearance for 6 packages in phase 1 in 2025; and has allocated 300 billion VND to carry out compensation and support for land clearance for the project, with the possibility of increasing this amount to meet the counterpart funding needs in 2025.

Before working with the provincial People's Committee leaders, the World Bank delegation spent two days conducting on-site surveys and working with the Vinh City People's Committee to assess the progress of the project implementation.

Mr. Dang Duc Cuong - Project Manager - congratulated Nghe An province and Vinh city on the World Bank's approval of this very important project; he also discussed several related issues, especially the World Bank's technical support regarding bidding procedures, financial management, environmental protection, land clearance, etc., to meet the World Bank's standards.

The World Bank delegation also discussed several project implementation milestones, particularly the timing of bidding for Phase 1 packages to ensure timely completion.

Leaders from relevant departments such as the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Finance exchanged views on the implementation of compensation and resettlement policies.

Seamless coordination between sponsors and local authorities.

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

In the coming period, to ensure the project is implemented on schedule, emphasizing the need for seamless coordination between the donor and local authorities, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Vinh City People's Committee to coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to develop a common project progress schedule for both sides to monitor, direct, and promptly supervise.

In addition, based on an analysis of potential difficulties, especially regarding the progress of land clearance, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province requested Vinh city to direct relevant agencies and units to focus on implementing tasks to ensure progress, particularly by agreeing on the percentage of compensation for assets and structures for affected individuals.

Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, Le Hong Vinh, thanked the World Bank delegation for their attention and support to the province and Vinh City; expressed his hope that the delegation would continue to support and cooperate in the implementation process; and also continue to advise the province on accessing World Bank funding sources to implement other projects on urban infrastructure and the environment.