The impacts of production activities at Cua Lo port on the living environment of households in Block 2 and Block 3, Nghi Tan Ward, Cua Lo Town were reported by Nghe An Newspaper in the article "Strengthening supervision of environmental protection activities at Cua Lo port", published on May 2, 2024.
Carrying out the tasks assigned by the Provincial People's Committee, on May 9, 2024, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town organized a dialogue to resolve the petition of the people of Blocks 2 and 3, Nghi Tan Ward. Here, the people's representatives reflected on the current situation of production activities at the 1A and 1B storage yards and the environmental pollution and noise caused by vehicles entering and leaving the port, requesting a thorough handling.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (resident) said that this was the second time he participated in the dialogue. The first time, he also had many opinions but they were not resolved. Mr. Thanh affirmed that the port's activities caused great environmental pollution, affecting the health of the people, and recommended: "We request that the authorities at all levels and units in charge of environmental protection in the town must intervene to resolve the issue once and for all...". Also reflecting that "the environmental pollution from the port is too great, even though the houses are closed, dust still seeps in", Mr. Nguyen Minh Thong suggested: "Cua Lo Port needs to have a plan to relocate the ore yard; or have a plan to relocate households to another place...".
In addition, there were 2 more comments from residents of Block 2 and Block 3, Nghi Tan Ward, reflecting on the dust caused by vehicles entering and leaving the port during rush hours. Accordingly, Cua Lo Port was requested to have measures to clean vehicles, manage vehicle operations, and plan parking lots in other locations in the future; at the same time, Cua Lo Port was requested to fulfill its commitment...
The dialogue reached consensus on the contents, for the iron ore storage yard at yard 1A-1B near the residential area, Cua Lo port will complete the relocation before July 15, 2024. In the period up to July 15, 2024, continue to cover the dust-proof net, cover the ore yard tarpaulin, increase watering of the ore yard area every 15 minutes and organize dust extraction, water spraying... After releasing the loose ore, implement the construction of a closed warehouse or bagged goods to minimize dust pollution and noise impact on the residential area. For planting trees to create a dust-proof buffer zone, casuarinas and other suitable trees will be planted in September - October 2024, the distance from the dust-proof net fence to the inside of the port is 3m.
For the area within the port, strengthen environmental sanitation, control environmental pollution according to the plan, the Environmental Sanitation Treatment Project at Cua Lo Port of Cua Lo Stevedoring Enterprise and the approved environmental impact assessment report; increase watering on traffic routes within the port; water the bulk cargo area to minimize dust...; publicize measures to control and minimize environmental pollution in the port so that people know, monitor and inspect. At the same time, before June 1, 2024, handle and renovate the road leading to the port gate to overcome noise caused by vehicles; add additional buffer layers to limit noise caused by port operations. In the long term, move the parking lot to an area that has less impact on residential areas...
Previously, on March 15, 2024, the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee had a working session with Cua Lo Stevedoring Enterprise, Nghe Tinh Port Joint Stock Company and related departments and branches to overcome environmental pollution and ship mooring at Cua Lo port.
On April 17, 2024, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town and Nghe An Maritime Port Authority, the Border Guard Station of Cua Lo - Ben Thuy and Nghe Tinh Port Joint Stock Company agreed to issue regulations on coordination to resolve environmental pollution and mooring of boats and fish cages in Cua Lo port area. On May 2, 2024, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town issued Document No. 694/UBND-TN on implementing solutions to minimize environmental pollution at Cua Lo port, requesting Cua Lo Stevedoring Enterprise under Nghe Tinh Port Joint Stock Company to implement specific measures to control and minimize environmental pollution in the port area.
After the dialogue on May 9, 2024, reaching consensus on short-term and long-term solutions to handle the existing problems at Cua Lo port, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town assigned the People's Committee of Nghi Tan ward to direct the Community Monitoring Team to monitor environmental pollution reduction activities of Cua Lo Stevedoring Enterprise; preside over and coordinate with Cua Lo Stevedoring Enterprise under Nghe Tinh Port Joint Stock Company to dialogue, propagate, mobilize people to comply with the law, propagate the coordination regulations between the People's Committee of Cua Lo town and related units on ensuring security, order, environmental sanitation, etc.
At the same time, it is recommended that Nghe Tinh Port Joint Stock Company organize and review the master plan for the site to be stable and suitable for the production and business process to control and minimize environmental pollution and noise impact on residential areas; recommend the People's Committee of Nghe An province to direct relevant departments, branches, and the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board to support the review and appraisal of the adjustment of the master plan.
