Con Cuong voters demand compensation from hydropower plant for flood discharge causing loss of land

On the morning of June 19, National Assembly deputies Le Quang Huy - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment; Nguyen Huu Cau - Director of Nghe An Provincial Police had a meeting with voters after the 7th session in Bong Khe commune (Con Cuong district).

Conference scene. Photo: Tien Hung

Ms. Phan Thi Dao (voter of Vinh Hoan village) said that at the end of August 2018, the hydroelectric plants simultaneously released massive floods, not only did the villagers suffer crop damage but also lost 5 hectares of land. “The massive water flow washed away alluvial land growing fruit trees, and the roads were also lost. Now many households no longer have land, and those with land have no roads to cultivate, forcing them to abandon their land. But until now, they have not been compensated. This is due to flood discharge, not a natural disaster, so compensation must be paid,” Ms. Dao said.

Sharing the same opinion with Ms. Dao, voter Tran Van Tuan said that during that flood discharge, Bong Khe was the commune that suffered the most damage in Con Cuong district. “My family grew oranges and suffered a loss of more than 100 million VND. But for nearly a year now, we have not received any encouragement or inquiries from the authorities or the hydropower plant,” Mr. Tuan said.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant releases flood water at the end of August 2018.

Meanwhile, voter Ho Thi Thin said that recently the sugar factory came to call on the people here to grow sugarcane to sell to them. Vinh Hoan village currently has dozens of hectares of land along the Lam River, but because the hydroelectric plant released floodwaters and lost the road, the people had to accept it. "The hydroelectric plant did not compensate, the government did not care, we held a meeting with the people to plan to open a road but did not have enough money to contribute. We hope that the authorities will pay attention to the people," said Ms. Thin.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Lo Van Thao - Vice Chairman of Con Cuong District People's Committee said that after this conference, he will request relevant departments of the district to coordinate with Bong Khe commune to review.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Department of Industry and Trade said that, according to inspections, all hydropower plants reported that when releasing floodwaters, they operated according to the correct procedures. This procedure was approved by the government...

Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau speaks at the conference. Photo: Tien Hung

Speaking at the conference on the issue of hydropower plant flood discharge causing damage to people but still no compensation, Mr. Nguyen Huu Cau said that National Assembly delegates will accept it and contribute their voices to support the people soon. The Provincial Police Director also asked Con Cuong district to pay attention to helping people with this issue.

In addition, delegate Nguyen Huu Cau also requested Con Cuong district, local police, and Bong Khe commune authorities to quickly resolve people's complaints at the conference, such as issuing red books to people; solving environmental pollution problems; security and order in the area; weak electricity affecting daily life...

In addition, also at the conference, voter Tran Tu Tu said that in 2006, Tan Lap village (Bong Khe commune) received state investment in a power station, but in 2012, this station was transferred to the town by Con Cuong Electricity. "Therefore, the electricity is currently extremely weak, as bright as a firefly. We have made many requests but no attention has been paid," Mr. Tu said...