Voters in Nghi Yen commune (Nghi Loc district) have raised concerns about land and environmental issues.

Attending the conference were Ms. Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Member of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province; representatives from several relevant departments and agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Department of Natural Resources and Environment; the Department of Internal Affairs; the Management Board of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone; and the Vinh City Urban Environment Company (the unit operating the landfill in Nghi Yen commune).

Voters in the hall. Photo: Ngan Hanh

At the meeting with voters, on behalf of the National Assembly delegates elected in Constituency No. 5, Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh announced the planned agenda for the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly, which will take place from May 22nd to June 23rd, 2023. The session will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1 (from May 22nd to June 10th, 2023), and Phase 2 (from June 19th to June 23rd, 2023). This is the first time the National Assembly has innovated its format by holding a centralized session divided into two phases.

Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh speaks at the meeting with voters. Photo: Ngan Hanh

Participating in the discussion, voter Dau Tran Luong - Secretary of Tan Son hamlet - reflected: The Nghi Yen solid waste treatment area, located upstream of the Cua Lo tourist area and Nha Le canal, mainly uses incineration and landfilling for waste disposal, which does not ensure environmental hygiene. The voter suggested that a plan should be implemented to relocate the waste treatment area to a location far from residential areas and upstream water sources to avoid significantly impacting the lives of the people.

Voter Dau Tran Luong expresses his opinion. Photo: Ngan Hanh

Addressing this issue, Mr. Pham Van Toan, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, expressed his understanding of the people's concerns. Mr. Toan stated that the Nghi Yen Solid Waste Treatment Plant has been operating since 2012, primarily processing waste through landfilling, which generates leachate and foul odors, affecting the lives of local residents. Of the eight landfill cells, five are currently full. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to find an investor to address and resolve this situation, preventing the continued practice of landfilling.

Mr. Pham Van Toan - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, answers voters' requests. Photo: Ngan Hanh

Mr. Vu Van Phuong, Director of the Vinh City Urban Environment Company (the unit operating the landfill in Nghi Yen commune), also responded to voter Dau Tran Luong's comments. Mr. Phuong stated that the Nghi Yen waste treatment facility has been operating for over 10 years. Over the years, measures have been taken to improve and address environmental pollution, such as spraying deodorizing agents and insecticides. However, this problem cannot be completely solved. Currently, the company will strive harder and utilize all available resources to minimize pollution for the residents. Mr. Phuong added that in the future, landfilling will no longer be feasible, and a new, standardized technology will be needed to minimize pollution for the people.

Voter Nguyen Van Dong – Head of Tay Son hamlet (Nghi Yen commune, Nghi Loc district) – raised concerns about the administrative boundary division between Nghi Loc and Dien Chau districts in Nghi Yen commune (Nghi Loc) and Dien Phu commune (Dien Chau). Over the past period, the commune and district have completed all necessary procedures. However, nearly four years later, there is still no decision on the administrative boundary division between the two districts. This is affecting the management of administrative boundaries and the process of obtaining land titles for residents in the surrounding areas.

Voter Nguyen Van Dong raises concerns about the administrative boundary division between Nghi Loc and Dien Chau districts. Photo: Ngan Hanh.

Regarding education, voter Hoang Thi Duong Lieu, Principal of Nghi Yen Primary School, commented on the benefits for long-serving teachers. Currently, teachers with 13 to 25 years of seniority receive a salary under the 4.0 system. However, the current salary structure and benefits for teachers are low, coupled with significant social pressure and high workload, leading many teachers to leave the profession or switch careers, resulting in a severe teacher shortage.

Voter Hoang Thi Duong Lieu reflects on the issue of education. Photo: Ngan Hanh

Regarding the healthcare sector, voter Nguyen Thi Cam, Head of the Nghi Yen Commune Health Station, commented: Nghi Yen is a commune far from the district's health center, with 8,878 inhabitants. However, the health station only has 4 staff members who handle multiple tasks. Due to the shortage of personnel, the commune's health center has been working on a recruitment plan for a year now, but it has not yet been approved.

Responding to these issues, Mr. Dau Dinh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, said that he would discuss the matter with the district and relevant units to resolve it. Regarding the proposal from voter Hoang Thi Duong Lieu, Mr. Duong said that the salary coefficient is implemented according to the law, however, he would consider the suggestion to increase salaries and allowances for teachers and submit it to the competent authorities.

Mr. Dau Dinh Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, answers questions from voters. Photo: Ngan Hanh

Regarding the administrative boundary issue, Mr. Dau Dinh Duong stated that the Department of Internal Affairs is currently awaiting the completion of the administrative boundary division procedures in Ky Son district, after which it will submit the dossier along with that of Nghi Yen to promptly address this request.

In addition, some voters also reflected on the situation where several projects in the Southeast Economic Zone have dragged on for many years, affecting socio-economic development and local management, and requested that the National Assembly issue a policy and the Provincial People's Council consider making a decision to revoke these projects.

Comrade Nguyen Tien Dung - Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the Nghi Loc District People's Committee, receives feedback from voters. Photo: Ngan Hanh

At the end of the meeting with voters, on behalf of the National Assembly delegates, Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh acknowledged and accepted all the suggestions and feedback from the voters, and requested the Office of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation to compile them and forward them to the relevant levels and sectors for resolution.