To complete cultural works on schedule

(Baonghean) -In recent years, many cultural projects in the province have been invested in and built, contributing significantly to promoting economic and social development. In particular, revolutionary cultural projects and spiritual cultural projects have received appropriate investment. However, in general, the investment projects for culture that are being implemented are behind schedule, and many projects have been approved but are still dormant. What is the reason?

The project to build the memorial complex of General Secretary Le Hong Phong is one of the important projects approved in Decision 1497 dated April 22, 2009 by the Provincial People's Committee, with a total investment of 250 billion VND supported by the central budget along with the provincial budget, Hung Nguyen district budget and other legal capital sources. It is known that the project has 13 main works to be built in 3 years - from 2009 to the end of 2012, will be completed and put into use on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of General Secretary Le Hong Phong's birthday in 2012. However, there are still unimplemented works: Youth Park at the Hung Nguyen District Center and Hung Thong Water Plant.

It is worth mentioning that of the 11 projects that have been and are being implemented, only 7 have been completed, handed over and put into use, and 4 projects are still under construction. Explaining the slow progress, Mr. Nguyen Van Hao - Head of the Construction Investment Project Management Board of Hung Nguyen district said: The total estimated value of the 11 projects under construction is 154 billion 572 million VND, while the total capital from many sources is 121 billion 650 million VND, only meeting 78.7% of the capital needs of the projects that have been and are being implemented. If calculating the total needs of the 13 projects, the remaining capital according to the total initial investment is 128 billion 350 million VND. This is the main factor leading to the unfinished General Secretary Le Hong Phong Memorial Complex, although Hung Nguyen district has had solutions to solve the problem in the past, it has not received due attention.

That is just one of the current cultural projects in the province that are behind schedule. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is currently managing 5 projects, but 2 have not been implemented yet, namely Phung Chi Kien relic site in Dien Chau district with a total investment of 25 billion VND and Duc Hoang temple relic in Yen Thanh district with a total investment of more than 30 billion VND.

The Hung Thong Commune Cultural House project is part of the General Secretary Le Hong Phong Memorial Complex Project, striving to be completed by the end of 2013.

Talking with Mr. Ngoc Anh - Deputy Head of Finance Department of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it is known that: Phung Chi Kien Relic Site Project has cleared the land but has not been implemented yet due to lack of funding. In addition, there are other projects such as: Project to preserve, restore and promote the value of Nghe Tinh Soviet with a total investment of 328 billion VND, construction started at the end of 2010 and according to the project plan, it is very difficult to complete in 2015, because the current funding source is only 20 billion VND.

Explaining the delay of cultural construction projects, Mr. Cao Dang Vinh - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: The investment capital for the projects is basically from the province, but currently the capital is not enough due to many reasons. Moreover, the investment is not synchronous and small, leading to unfinished projects. The point here is that due to lack of funding and problems in site clearance, compensation... have not been completely resolved, but there are a number of other projects that continue to be approved for investment, left unfinished and it is unknown when they will be completed.

It is thought that investing in the construction of cultural works, in addition to their cultural and educational significance, also has a sustainable and long-term value in serving political tasks. It is undeniable that the economic recession has greatly affected the investment budget for cultural works, but in order for the works to be completed on schedule, there needs to be key investments, avoiding dispersion. In addition, the province and functional branches, and competent agencies need to have consultation, coordination, and synchronous removal of difficulties and obstacles so that cultural works can receive appropriate investment.

Article and photos: Thanh Hien